Jeff Manternach, 44, of Dubuque, IA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at his home, surrounded by family.

Jeff was born on July 13, 1981, in Dubuque. He was raised on his multi-generational family farm in Cascade, IA where his imaginative, hard-working, and caring spirit flourished. Jeff loved exploring the woods and ponds, building forts in the basement, and caring for their numerous farm cats. During his school years, Jeff dabbled in various interests like golf, cross country, and theater. But he most fondly recalled – and others best remember him for – the friendships he fostered. Jeff had a rare ability to make everyone around him feel valued and seen. He could make a car ride, a night of rollerblading the city streets, or work at a local restaurant feel fun and memorable. He had a natural ease and a joyous light that everyone was drawn to. He carried this special presence through all his future friendships and stages of life.

Jeff was a talented artist and had an eye for design. His family recalls a young Jeff designing elaborate mansions he wanted to build. He always dreamed big. He and his family thought he might become an architect. But his professional path took a different direction. Jeff was a proud graduate of Cascade High School (1999), Loras College (2003), and the Illinois College of Optometry (2007). At Loras, Jeff majored in biology and shadowed various medical professions. He chose optometry because patients always leave happy. That was Jeff’s nature – to always leave people better than he found them.

In 2007, Jeff started his career with LensCrafters in Chicago and met his future husband, JD. In 2010, he started his first private practice at the Walmart optical in Marion, IA after he and JD moved back to the family farm. Although this move was meant to be temporary as they had plans to live out west, Jeff convinced JD to invest in a home in Dubuque with the intent to rehab and resell it to fund their next adventure. But with every beautiful update, the house slowly became their home. This is the home where they hosted numerous family members and friends and where Jeff dreamed his biggest dreams, binged sci-fi shows, and cooked incredible meals. This was a home that he filled with life – including sixty plants – as counted by his nephew the day before Jeff passed. It was also where he and JD lived when they finally married on July 22, 2020.

Once in Dubuque Jeff planted roots, and his work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and love for community blossomed. In 2012 he opened Key City Vision Center from scratch and grew it into a thriving practice. Jeff had a talent for connecting with patients and a knack for helping them select stylish frames, often outside their comfort zone. This hard-working dreamer simultaneously started a property management business in 2016 which grew to include four beloved Airbnb properties along with apartments, homes, and commercial spaces.

Community was deeply important to Jeff. He volunteered on two Give the Gift of Sight mission trips in Ecuador and Panama. He served ten years on the Julien Dubuque Film Festival Board and was actively serving on the Loras National Alumni Board and the Iowa Optometric Association Board. Jeff loved and was generous in supporting local nonprofits, especially those centered around art and tourism. He loved Dubuque. Not only did he want residents to thrive, he wanted people to move there and visitors to love it. He even established some of Dubuque’s first Airbnb properties out of a desire to create beautiful homes for visitors. He fiercely supported local businesses and was generous with his time and money. There was always a new piece of clothing, art, plant, or gift to buy. There was always one more coffee or meal to be had.

At the core of Jeff’s community – his foundation and greatest joy – were his family and friends. His life was woven from weekend family dinners, vacations, long walks and chats, leisurely meals out, and game nights. He loved spoiling his family, especially all his nieces and nephews, whether related by birth or by love.

Jeff had a seven-year journey with cancer. He met this challenge with quiet strength and grace. Jeff never let on he was sick; he was skilled at hiding or masking any effects of the disease or treatment. He didn’t want the attention. He preferred to focus on others. We won’t remember Jeff for his illness, but for the way he lived despite his diagnosis, remaining focused on the people he loved and the joy and beauty of life around us. Jeff’s hope was simple: that people would be kind to one another, enjoy life, spend time together, and laugh often. His family hopes that those who have been blessed to know him will honor his memory by doing exactly that.

Survivors include his husband, JD Robertson of Dubuque; his father, Gene (Aimee) Manternach of Cascade; three siblings, John (Jill) Manternach of Des Moines, IA, Kelli (Nate) Topping of Cascade, and Kim (Paul) Goranson of Sherrill, IA; mother-in-law, Lou Robertson of Owensboro, KY; sister-in-law, Stacy (Kenny) Coomes of Owensboro, KY; nieces and nephews, Jules Manternach, Kaleb, Kolton, and Kalli Topping, Grant and Grace Goranson, Lilly, Olivia, Harper, and Henry Coomes; as well as many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Jeff was preceded in death by his mother, Kathy (Ahlrichs) Manternach.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Cascade, IA. A private reception will be held after burial.

Memorials may be given to the Jeff Manternach Memorial Fund. The family kindly requests that no flowers or plants be sent.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Jeff’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.