Merle Manternach, 71, of Cascade, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at his home in rural Cascade surrounded by his family.

Visitation for Merle was held from 3 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa, where a prayer service was held at 2:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Merle will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the St. Martin's Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding.  Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa.

Merle was born November 7, 1952, in Cascade, Iowa, son of Arnold and Germaine (Trumm) Manternach.  After school Merle took over running the family farm, and the dairy operations as well.   He was also employed at Custom Precast in Cascade as a welder for several years, and a cattle feeder for others.  Merle was a kind and gentle father, grandfather, uncle, and a wonderful brother.   He always had a smile for everyone.   He was united in marriage to Julianne Gansemer; the couple later separated.

He was a member of St. Matthias Parish in Cascade, Iowa.

He is survived by two sons, Marvin (Angie) Manternach of Cascade, Iowa, and Justin (Donna) Manternach of State Center; four grandchildren, Josie and Lane Manternach, and Daniel and Maggie McPherren; and seven siblings, Virginette (Jim) Downey of Garnavillo, Kenneth (Mary Anne) Manternach of Rickardsville, Dennis Manternach of Cascade, Mary Lee (Ronald) Vorwald of Worthington, Diane (Dennis) Fitzsimmons of Monticello, Carmen (Randy) Mormann of Dyersville and Doris Manternach of Waterloo.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a twin-brother, Earl Clem Manternach on Feb. 28, 2019; a sister-in-law, Marian Manternach; one nephew, Anthony Manternach; and his former wife, Julianne on April 30, 2018.

Video Tribute may be viewed, and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com