Janaan Manternach

1927 - 2025

Janaan Manternach, 97, of 3580 Pennsylvania Ave. #2, Dubuque, formerly 1620 N. Quebec St. Arlington, VA died at Stonehill Communities on May 10, 2025. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cascade at 10 a.m. on June 20, 2025. Eulogy will be given by Angela Barbieri Usas. Relatives and friends may come to the church starting at 9 a.m. The Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade is in charge of arrangements. 

She was born on December 23, 1927, on a farm near Cascade, the daughter of Jacob and Anita (Takes) Manternach. She was a member of the Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, for 27 years. On November 20, 1976, she married Carl J. Pfeifer, a former Jesuit, at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. 

Janaan was a prolific writer of religion textbooks and single title books on catechetics, theology, prayer, meditation and the saints. She also wrote numerous articles for journals, newspapers and newsletters. She co-authored, with her husband the trend-setting religion series, “Life, Love, Joy.” It dramatically changed how Catholic children are taught religion. In 2006 and 2011, she co-authored and contributed to three books for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s. In 2020 her own story of caregiving for her husband, who had Alzheimer’s, was published. 

She was widely known as a lecturer on catechetics and religious education throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Guam, and Central America. She taught summer sessions at both The Catholic University of America and St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT. She also taught courses at Theological College in Washington, D.C. and St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD. 

Janaan and her husband, Carl, were presented the prestigious annual award from the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership recognizing their long and illustrious contribution to catechetical ministry. They also were the first married couple to receive this award. They were also honored by the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors with the Emmaus Award for Excellence in Catechesis. This award was given to them because of their international reputation and contribution in the field of Catholic catechesis through writing, publishing and teaching.

Janaan was an avid collector of great art, especially the works of the artist John August Swanson of Los Angeles, CA. That collection has been given to Loras College. In appreciation of that gesture, Loras College presented both Janaan and John August Swanson with Honorary Doctorates. 

Janaan is survived by her brother, Donald (Anita) Manternach; her sister-in-law, Rosemary Pfeifer, four godchildren, Angela Barbieri Usas, Miguel Barbieri, Edward Jeep and Emily Jeep Klingaman; two honorary grandchildren Jake and Hannah Verrips and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Orland, Thomas, Donald (in infancy); her sisters, Janet Ripple and Grace Miller, her father and mother-in-law, Carl and Emma Heine Pfeifer, two brothers-in-law, Richard Ripple and Richard Pfeifer, four sisters-in-law, Luann Vaske Manternach, Janice Manternach, Cecelia Lucas Manternach and Helen Manternach, a niece, Amy Manternach Kurt, a nephew, Dale Manternach and niece-in-law, Cathy Kimm Manternach.

She would like to thank Dave and Diane (her niece) Boardman, for the care they lovingly and continuously gave to her, her nephew Daren Manternach who was always there to brighten her day and her friends Dianne Gibson, Betty and Vince Vanden Hueval, John Donahue, Doreen Jecklin, Sue Walgamuth and Bill Kaesbauer who were there for her anytime she had a need. Another special thanks to a dear friend, Joyce Descenzk, who was an angel by Janaan’s side for the last month of her life. 

Memorials may be given to Charities of your choice.