JoAnn M. Manternach

JoAnn M. Manternach

Aug. 17, 1940 –

Jan. 16, 2026

      JoAnn M. Manternach, 85, of rural Cascade, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, after a long battle with health challenges.  She fought like a warrior.

    Visitation for JoAnn will be held from 1 to 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, where a prayer service will be held at 12:30 p.m.  Visitation will also continue after 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Funeral Home.

    A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at St. Martin’s Church in Cascade, with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding, and Rev. Neil Manternach con-celebrating.  Assisting Deacon will be Joe Schockemoehl.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade.    

    She was born to Albert and Margaret (Schaul) Meyers on Aug. 17, 1940 in Luxemburg, Iowa.  She attended school in Luxemburg until the 10^th grade, when she left to help on the farm after her mother passed unexpectedly.

    On June 6, 1961, JoAnn married Joseph Manternach and moved to Cascade, where they had five children and built a beautiful life working on the farm.

    JoAnn was a member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade.  She spent her life rooted in the values and spirit of the close-knit community she called home.  She lived a life marked by kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. 

    JoAnn was a long time 4-H leader in Jones County, where she shared her talents with many.  She was an excellent cook and baker.  She loved to make homemade bread, especially cinnamon rolls.  She enjoyed the outdoors, and spent many hours in her garden, tending her flower beds and mowing her massive lawn.  She loved crocheting, sewing, euchre, kittens and the color yellow.  But she especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

    Over the past 25 years, JoAnn and Joe enjoyed escaping Iowa’s winters by heading to their home in Mesa, Ariz.  They loved the warm weather, sunshine, and many friends they made over the past 25 years.

    JoAnn is survived by her husband of 64 years, Joseph; her five children, Cary Manternach of Cascade, Lynn (Tim) Manternach-Wigans of Cedar Rapids, Keith Manternach of Anchorage, Debbie (Shawn) Kenney of Westminster, Colo. and Doug (Carey) Manternach of  Gaffney, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Connor (Caitlin) Wigans of Iowa City, Conrad Prochoda of Aurora, Colo., Mikey (Kacy) Kenney of Dripping Springs, Texas, Jessica Kenney of Westminster, Colo., Skylar (Triston) Veltkamp of Palmer, Alaska, and Kaleb, Kaylene and Samantha Manternach, all of Gaffney, S.C.; three great-grandchildren, Lola White of Aurora, Colo., Jackson Wigans of Iowa City and Brynleigh Mustain of Dripping Springs, Texas; one brother, Mike (Moe) Meyers; her in-laws, Loras (Donna) Manternach of Masonville, Joan Hoffmann, Muriel Schlemme, Lois (Alan) Gravel, and Lester (Mary Ellen) Manternach, all of Cascade,vand one step-sister-in-law, Pat Manders of Dubuque; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

    She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Mary Lee and Kenneth Meyers; her father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Amelia Manternach; her step-mother-in-law, Mildred (Manders) Manternach; her in-laws, Florence (Harry) Schockemoehl, Eleanor (Clarence) Quint, Veronica (Herman) Welter, Alvina (Robert) Grief, Eva Mae (Elmer) 

Klocke, Kathleen “Katie” (Harry) Rockzien, Leona (Sr. Irmina, OSF) Manternach, Larry (Lois) Manternach and Ron (Bridget) Manternach, Tom Hoffmann, and Duane Schlemme, Ralph Manternach; and step-in-laws, Jeanette (Jack) Callahan, Don (Mary) Manders, and Dorance Manders.

    An online video tribute may be viewed and online condolences left for the family at wwwreifffuneralhomeinc.com

    Thanks and gratitude to the many health professionals who cared for JoAnn, especially the teams at Accura Healthcare in Cascade, Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa, The Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Hospice of Dubuque.