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.

Viola Johnson, 95 of Carroll, died Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Regency Park Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 28, 2013 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Con-Celebrant and Homilist will be Fr. Clair Boes. Cross Bearer will be Graeme McCord. Music will be by Marcy Anderson and the St. Lawrence Choir. Lector for the funeral mass will be Dwight Johnson. Gift Bearers will be Inez Eden and Myrna Snyder. Eucharistic Ministers will be Denise and Rick Melichar. Casket Bearers will be: Daniel Johnson, David Johnson, Brian Johnson, Bret Johnson, Paul Johnson, and Ian McCord. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 2:30 p.m. on Sunday where there will be a rosary at 3 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 5 p.m. by St. Lawrence Parish. The casket will be moved to St. Lawrence Church at 9 a.m. on Monday where visitation will resume until time of the funeral mass.

Memorials may be left at the funeral home or at the church to be directed to St. Lawrence Parish.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Viola’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Viola Delores was born on May 14, 1918 at Carnarvon, Iowa the daughter of Hilary and Eugenia (Studer) Engel. She spent her younger years in the Carnarvon area where she attended school. On November 16, 1943 Viola was united in marriage to Henry Johnson at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake, Iowa. The couple made their home 7 miles east of Breda where they farmed until 1976 when they moved to the Carroll community. Throughout their lifetime Henry and Vi enjoyed bowling, traveling, and she loved making quilts for her entire family. Vi was a member of St. Lawrence Parish in Carroll.

Survivors include her children: Dale Johnson and his wife Jean of Lakeville, MN, Dean Johnson and his wife Carol of Adamstown, PA, Dwight Johnson and his wife Susan of Mesa, AZ, Mark Johnson and his wife Diane of Logan, IA, Verne Johnson and his wife Robin of Parker, CO, Denise Melichar and her husband Rick of Mesa, AZ, and Donna Johnson and her husband Clarke McCord of Collierville, TN; 32 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; one sister, Elma Cejka of Pocahontas; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Henry in 1999; her granddaughter Sara Johnson; her sisters: Esther Reising and Laura Boes; and her brothers: Raymond, Vernon, and Lawrence Engel.

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
We are so sorry for your loss. It is never easy losing a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Mac & Diane McClellan and family

Diane McClellan – October 25 2013 at 12:32 PM

icon-quote
I am sorry for your loss and also sorry that I won't be able to be with you guys (I am having a colchear earplant surgery on Monday). I will be thinking and praying for you. Your mother was so sweet and so gracious. I will truly miss her! Linda Honold, SSD

Linda Honold – October 26 2013 at 8:56 PM

icon-quote
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy. A life well lived leaves behind a beautiful bouquet of memories as she has done. My prayers and caring thoughts are with you all. Mona Bell

Mona Bell – October 26 2013 at 10:58 PM

icon-quote
I am so sorry for your loss. I have lots of good memories of Vi. To lose a loved one is never easy. Thoughts and prayers for the family! Marcia Moctezuma

Marcia Moctezuma – October 27 2013 at 4:58 PM

icon-quote
Sorry for your loss. Sending you all our thoughts and prayers. Gary and Marlene Wittrock

Gary and Marlene Wittrock – October 28 2013 at 9:47 AM

Send a Personalized Message: