Obituary

Bernard T. Meiners, 95 of Coon Rapids, died Monday, September 1, 2025 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids surrounded by his family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham. The Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm, assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners. Music will be by Jane Heithoff and the St. Joseph’s Choir. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Jill Klein. Gift Bearers will be Talina Haskins, Caitlin ThongVahn, and Amanda Meiners. Casket Bearers will be Brian Meiners, Ben Meiners, Aaron Meiners, Lucas Meiners, Jason Nees, Mike Nees, Ryan Schultes, Tyler Schultes, Jordan Schultes, Justin Meiners, and Trenton Meiners. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dedham with military honors conducted by the Dedham American Legion.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a rosary at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. Joseph’s Church on Friday morning where additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for a later designation.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Bernard’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Patricia Jeannine Rupiper, 94 of Carroll, died Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Addington Place in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 22, 2023, at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Kathy Halbur, Sherry Loughran, Emily Eichelberger, Piper Blackledge, and Megan Werden. Mass Servers will be Dylan Schon, Max Schon, and Charlie Schreck. Lectors for the Funeral Mass will be Mike Schon, Chase Werden, and Matt Loeffelholz. Gift Bearers will be Rick Rupiper, Brian Rupiper, and Diane Rupiper. Eucharistic Ministers will be Charlene Rupiper and Sherry Wittrock. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Patricia’s grandsons. Casket Bearers will be Patricia’s granddaughters: Jessica Hultquist, Shelley Schreck, Kristi Macke, Kim Rohe, Katie Theulen, Lauren Hope, Sara Palinski, Emily Eichelberger, Meredith Onken, Madison Werden, Piper Blackledge; and Patricia’s great-granddaughter, Ella Rupiper. Private family burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll following the Funeral Mass.
Visitation will be held from 4-6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m. There will be no public visitation prior to the Funeral Mass on Friday at the church. Memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church and will be forwarded to various charities. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Patricia’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Patricia Jeannine (Williams) Rupiper was born on July 20, 1929, daughter of Elvin and Alvira (Spurgeon) Williams. She entered into eternal rest on December 19, 2023, at Addington Place, surrounded by her family. She attended St. Angela’s Academy and graduated in 1947, where she was a baton twirler and band majorette. On September 14, 1948, she was united in holy matrimony with LeRoy Rupiper. Together, they made their home and raised 10 children on a farm outside of Roselle, Iowa.
Patricia was a devout Catholic who started each day by praying the rosary for Rick, Paula, and everyone in between, in addition to those who were sick or needed additional prayers, to whom she prayed a special rosary. Pat was very proud of her family, took pride in herself and her Irish heritage, and was fiercely particular. If you were lucky enough to know her personally, you were especially blessed. She was a selfless mother, devoted grandmother, loving great-grandmother, and an admiring great-great-grandmother.
Patricia served as a Carroll County Precinct Election worker for over 40 years and was part of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas for over 70 years. The highlight of her day was interacting with and visits from family. She enjoyed her weekly visit to the hair salon and loved to travel and visit her sister and daughters in Omaha. Her hobbies included playing bridge, bowling, and golfing in the prime of her life. She may not have cleaned her plate every meal, but she would never turn down dessert, especially her sweet treats and dark chocolate.
Patricia is survived by her husband of 75 years, LeRoy; her children Rick (Deb) Rupiper of Honey Creek, IA, Jeannine (Rich) Muhlbauer of Carroll, IA, Lorelei (Dale) Schon of Willey, IA, Denise (Paul) Glass of Urbandale, IA , daughter-in-law Diane Rupiper of Roselle, IA , Brian (Cindy) Rupiper of Germantown, TN, Lisa (Danny) Loeffelholz of Omaha, NE, Julie Fay (Bob Fox) of Omaha, NE, Renee (Dave) Anderson of Carroll, IA, and Paula (James) Blackledge of Omaha, NE; 33 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; her sister Alice “Jo” Connor of Omaha, NE.; and many nieces, nephews and other extended relatives and friends.
Patricia was preceded in death by her loving son, Kevin in August 2023; her father Elvin Williams; her mother Alvira Hutchinson; stepfather Lyle Hutchinson; brother Michael Williams; brother-in-law Ray Connor; her parents-in-law Louis and Carrie Rupiper; and brother and sister-in-law Wayne and Alice Rupiper.
The Rupiper family would to extend a special thanks to the staff of Addington Place for the special care and concern they provided to our mom as she transitioned on her journey.

Church Service

Friday, September 5, 2025 10:30 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
420 3rd Ave, Dedham, IA 51440

Burial

Sharp Funeral Home ~ Carroll, Iowa

226 W. 8th St., Carroll, IA, 51401

712-792-4301

[email protected]

https://www.sharpfuneral.com

Church Service

Thursday, September 4, 2025
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Sharp Funeral Home – Carroll
226 W. 8th St, Carroll, IA 50401

Friday, September 5, 2025
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
420 3rd Ave, Dedham, IA 51440

Obituary

Born March 31, 1930, he was the son of Bernard and Catherine (Rotert) Meiners. He grew up in the Dedham-Willey area and graduated from St. Mary’s School in Willey in 1943. He entered the U.S. Army July 8, 1953 and was stationed at Wurzburg, Germany. He was discharged on May 20, 1955.

Bernard married Dolores S. Halbur on January 24, 1956 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Halbur. After being married Bernard and Dolores lived 3 miles north of Dedham for two years. In 1958, they moved to the farm they purchased four miles east of Dedham. They were the parents of six children: Daniel, Dale, David, Cathleen, Christine, and Gary. Dolores passed away January 21, 1978.

On August 9, 1980, Bernard married Marita Eickman at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. In May 2011, Bernard and Marita moved off the farm into the town of Coon Rapids, Iowa. They made their home there for 14 years. In April 2025, they moved to Parkview Assisted Living in Coon Rapids, Iowa.

During Bernard’s lifetime, he farmed, had a dairy operation, had a cow/calf operation, and raised hogs. He retired in 1992. He is a current member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Dedham, a member of the Dedham American Legion Post #20, and a member of the Manning VFW. In July 2001 Bernard, being a Korean Veteran, had the privilege to go on the Military Honor Flight to Washington DC. Just recently he was presented with a Quilt of Valor at Thomas Rest Haven, and at the age of 95 he still enjoyed attending the Legion meetings.

Bernard loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Holiday gatherings were a treat for him to get to see most of them at one time. In his spare time Bernard enjoyed gathering black walnuts in the fall and kept busy shelling the walnuts during the winter. Family and friends benefited from the fruits of his labor.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marita Meiners; his children, Dale (Mary) Meiners of Carroll, David (Jane) Meiners of Varna, IL, Cathleen (Larry) Nees of Coon Rapids, Christine (Mark) Schultes of Dedham, and Gary (Barb) Meiners of Manson; 19 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren with 2 more coming in October; a brother Anthony (Colleen) Meiners of Carroll; 2 sisters, Catherine Wittrock of Carroll and Marcella Naberhaus of Carroll; his sisters-in-laws, Margaret (Tom) Denker of Manning, and Pat (Joe) Goblirsch of Jesup. He is also survived by Marita’s children, Richard (Sandy) Eickman of Omaha, NE, James (Joni) Eickman of Dyer, TN, Dave (Joan) Eickman of Macungie, PA, Randy (Rose) Eickman of Coon Rapids, Nancy Eickman and Jim Springer of Warren, NJ, and Karen Heck of Delano, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Bernard was preceded in death by his first wife Dolores S. Meiners; a son Daniel J. Meiners; Marita’s son Bill Eickman; his parents Bernard and Catherine Meiners; his brothers John (Margaret) Meiners, Albert (Frances) Meiners; his brothers-in-law Clarence Wittrock, Norbert Naberhaus, Cletus (Emaline) Halbur, Norman (Inez) Halbur, Larry (JoAnn) Halbur; his brother-in-law, William (Marie) Halbur; Dolores’ parents, William and Frances Halbur, and stepmother-in-law, Josephine Halbur.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bernard T. Meiners, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Tribute Wall

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Be My Love Bouquet with Red Roses was purchased for the family of Patricia Rupiper.

Comment #49115754 – December 21 2023 at 10:49 AM

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Enchanted Cottage was purchased for the family of Patricia Rupiper.

Comment #49109195 – December 20 2023 at 1:26 PM

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Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Patricia Rupiper.

Comment #49110571 – December 20 2023 at 3:34 PM

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Florist Choice Bouquet was purchased for the family of Patricia Rupiper.

Comment #49110870 – December 20 2023 at 4:25 PM

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A.J. & Kim Skar purchased the Serene Reflections Bouquet for the family of Patricia Rupiper.

A.J. & Kim Skar – December 20 2023 at 4:40 PM

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