Melvin L. Manternach March 22, 1933 – Jan. 5, 2021

     Melvin L. Manternach, 87, of Monticello passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids due to complications of COVID.

     A private Mass of Christian Burial was live-streamed on the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Facebook page at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021.  Burial was in the church cemetery.  Rev. Paul Baldwin will officiated and Deacon Ed Goldsmith assisted.

     Mel was born March 22, 1933, in Monticello the son of George and Clara Manternach.  He served in the U.S. Army stationed in Kansas, but due to the death of his father, Mel was released early to care for the family farm.  On Aug. 7, 1954, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Hoffmann at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cascade.  Together they farmed near Monticello and enjoyed over 66 years of marriage and dancing.  In 1992, Mel and Betty moved into town but never really retired from farming.  He passionately served as a board member for Immaculate Conception, Castle Grove and Sacred Heart parishes, was active in his community as a member of the Monticello Lions Club, and served as a National Director in the National Farmers Organization.  He was a very proud member of “Table of Knowledge” at Darrell’s Family Diner.  In later years he assisted his children as equipment operator (loved his bulldozer) and repair man on the farm, remodeling houses, construction and disaster recovery (flood and derecho).

     Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Betty, children: George (Carmelyn) Manternach of Monticello, Terry (Barb) Manternach of Cedar Rapids, Brian (Carol “Charlie”) Manternach of Coralville, Gary (Tori) Manternach of Monticello, Beth (Dave) Gregory of Cornelius, N.C. and Julie (Terry) Feltes of Cedar Rapids; 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren;

siblings: Paul Manternach of Cedar Rapids, Fr. Carl Manternach of Dubuque, Jim Manternach and Bernard (Anna) Manternach, both of Monticello, Ruth Ahart of Dows City, Mary (George) Whalen of Carson City, Nev. and Joyce (Rich) Lynch of Cascade; in-laws: Elaine “Toots” Hoffmann, Ed (Connie) Hoffmann, both of Cascade, Tom Hoffmann of Dubuque and Alan (Kathy) Hoffmann of Robins.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter-in-law, Kristy Manternach, a sister, infant Joan and in-laws: Elodie Manternach, Shirley Manternach, Mike Ahart, and Bill Hoffmann.

     Memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart School.

     Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Cards and memorials may be sent to the family in care of Kramer Funeral Home, PO Box 791, Monticello, IA 52310-0791.