Jerome (Jerry) Manternach died on April 23, 2026, at the age of 83 after an extended illness.

Visitation will be at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27 with a time for prayer and remembrance from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., led by David Wise, MDiv. A funeral Mass will take place at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Anamosa at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, with the family greeting guests beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon in the church hall will immediately follow the service.

Jerome Frederick, son of the late Norbert Sr. and Katherine (Muller) Manternach, was born December 4, 1942, in Monticello, Iowa. He grew up with a love of learning and an appreciation for nature, gardening, and watching his trees grow. He graduated from Loras College in 1965 with a degree in history and spent two years in Rome studying for the priesthood, before discerning his true vocation.

He was the beloved husband of Carolyn Takes for 56 years, and together they built a home filled with music, laughter, and love.

Jerry spent his career at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. During his 34-year tenure, he completed a master's degree in counseling from Loras College and served as Counselor, Treatment Director, and Deputy Warden. He embodied the corporal work of mercy to visit the imprisoned, exhibiting great compassion throughout his life for all who have been marginalized by society.

Many who knew Jerry will remember him as "Coach." He coached numerous local children (including all four of his own) in several basketball, softball, and baseball teams at multiple levels of youth sports. For most of his life, he was a fixture at St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he was active as a cantor, lector, and teacher. Fluent in Spanish, he also spent countless hours volunteering as a translator in the local community as well as leading Bible studies and coordinating worship opportunities for Spanish-speaking residents at the penitentiary.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and their children: Kathy (Sean) Culbertson of Newton, Karla (Brian Zanin) of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, Brian (Erika Edberg) of Draper, Utah, and Jeremy (Bridget Sweet) of Coralville. Also surviving are his grandchildren (Josh, Travis, and Andrew Culbertson; Amelia and Mara Zanin; and Nora Manternach); his brother Daniel (Joan) Manternach of Monticello; sisters-in-law Donna and Elaine Manternach of Monticello; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Martha Manternach, and his siblings: Norbert Jr., David, Sr. Phyllis, Rita, and Christina Bertling and her husband (Donald).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Iowa chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association (https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/iowa/ways-give-ia/donate/).