Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association
MANTERNACH, Jeff
MANTERNACH, Jeff. (Dubuque, IA, July 13, 1981--Dubuque, IA, July 1, 2026). Jeff was raised on his multi-generational family farm in Cascade. During his school years, Jeff dabbled in various interests like golf, cross country and theater. He 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. 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.
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. 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.
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 10 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 even established some of Dubuque’s first Airbnb properties out of a desire to create beautiful homes for visitors.
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 remained focused on the people he loved and the joy and beauty of life around us.
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Source:
Obituaries, Telegraph Herald, July 12, 2026, p. 13A