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.

Rita Henrich, age 87 of Maple River, died Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 25, 2011 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Mt. Carmel. The Celebrant will be Fr. Dale Reiff. Mass Servers will be Andrew and Ryan Evans. Music will by Denise Nieland and the parish choir. Lectors for the funeral mass will be Angie Berg, Tiffany Jacobsen, and Ashley Brandon. Gift Bearers will be: Tiffany Jacobsen, Angie Berg, Beth Auen, Sara Hamilton, Ashley Brandon, and Amber Henrich. Eucharistic Ministers will be: Amber Henrich, Willy Henrich, and June Bernholtz. Honorary Casket Bearers will be: Ashley Brandon, Amber Henrich, Tiffany Jacobsen, Beth Auen, Angie Berg, and Sara Hamilton. Casket Bearers will be: Troy Henrich, Steve Haley, Ryan Henrich, Willy Henrich, Tom Auen, Rod Berg, Steve Jacobsen, Jake Brandon, and Josh Hamilton. Burial will be at St. Francis Cemetery in Maple River.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4:30 p.m., Sunday where there will be a rosary at 5 p.m., followed by a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. by the parish.
Rita was born on August 29, 1923 at Carroll, Iowa, a twin daughter of Henry and Minnie (Kokenge) Bernholtz. She spent her younger years in the Mt. Carmel community and attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. On April 18, 1944 she married Lawrence “Demps” Henrich at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Mt. Carmel. Following their marriage the couple farmed and raised their family northwest of Maple River. In 1974 they moved to their home in Maple River where Rita was presently living. For several years Rita work as a housekeeper at the Carroll Health Center Nursing Home. In her spare time Rita loved playing cards, cooking, reading, crocheting, crossword puzzles, and listening to Danny O’Donnell. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She was a lifelong member of St. Francis Church in Maple River and currently was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Mt. Carmel.
Survivors include her children: Nancy Kraus and her husband Ray of Carroll, Richard Henrich and his wife Bernie of Carroll, Jane Walker and her husband John of Des Moines, Tom Henrich and his wife Deb of Earling; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; her sisters in-law: June Bernholtz of Carroll, Isabella Henrich of Carroll, and Isabel Henrich of Carroll; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence “Demps” in May 1991, her brothers: Julius, Laverne, and Glenn Bernholtz; her twin sister, Ruth Pille Lengeling.

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

icon-quote
Nancy and Ray, We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kim and II

Kim Hamilton – April 25 2011 at 7:58 PM

icon-quote
Nancy & Ray, So sorry to hear about your loss. The whole family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Shannon Reising – April 24 2011 at 2:38 PM

icon-quote
We are thinking of you and your family. Our prayers are with you.

Robyn and Burke – April 22 2011 at 3:59 PM

icon-quote
Jane, We’re so sad to hear about the loss of your Mom. You and you’re family are in our thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you. Rich and Sherry

Sherry Walker – April 21 2011 at 2:01 PM

Send a Personalized Message: