Helen Dolores Manternach

Helen Dolores Manternach, 87, of Manchester, Iowa, passed from this life on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family. In agreement with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home in Manchester, where a Parish Scripture Service will begin at 3:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church, located at 119 West Fayette Street, in Manchester, where an additional visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. The Reverend Gabriel Anderson will officiate. Committal services will be held at a later date at Oakland Cemetery, in Manchester. You may access livestream of the funeral mass at: www.blessedtrinitycluster.com and Click MassLiveStream.

Helen was born at home on August 18, 1937, in Prairie Township, Delaware County, Iowa, one of 16 children to Oliver Wendell and Frances Addie (Scanlon) Shaw. She was a 1955 graduate of the former Manchester High School. Helen was united in marriage to Ralph D. Westhoff on November 5, 1957, in Petersburg, Iowa. To this union, five children were born: Debra, Duane, Diane, Dan and Don. Helen was employed with Ertl Toys in Dyersville, Iowa, for more than 30 years, until her retirement. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and the Catholic Daughters of America. Helen loved planting flowers in her garden, was a great cook and enjoyed entertaining in her home. After 35 years, Helen and Ralph divorced. On January 17, 2004, she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” J. Manternach and welcomed his children and their families. Helen also loved dancing, making crafts, playing cards, and traveling, especially to Texas during the winters. Most of all, she loved spending time with family and friends. One of her greatest joys and gifts in life, was being a “Grandma”. Helen will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Helen is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband of 21 years, Bob Manternach of Manchester; four children, Duane (Lynn) Westhoff of Danvers, Illinois, Diane (Mark Schnoes) Friedlein-Schnoes of Coralville, Iowa, Dan (Janet) Westhoff of Lake Of The Ozarks, Missouri, and Don (Meg) Westhoff of Chicago, Illinois; four stepchildren, Danny (Kathy) Peterson of Pico Rivera, California, Lorie (Roy) Wickman of Ryan, Iowa, Ron Manternach of Coggon, Iowa, and Cathy Boyer of Clarksville, Tennessee; 15 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren, with one more on-the-way; siblings, Genevieve (Bob) Frentress, and Iola Millard both of Manchester, Larry (Kay) Shaw of Anamosa, Iowa, David Shaw of Marion, Iowa, Douglas (Mary) Shaw of Niagara Falls, New York, Charlotte Shaw of Surfside, South Carolina, Joanne Hansel (Jim Bandy) of Dundee, Iowa, Nancy Savago of Ryan, and Marie Shaw of Manchester; five sisters-in-law, Rita Domeyer of Manchester, Peggy Westhoff of Erie, Pennsylvania, Gladys Tinker of Manchester, Norma Jean (Elmer) Maiers of Delaware, Iowa, and Janet (Jack) Kreeb of Dyersville; one brother-in-law, Vern (Carol) Manternach of Coralville; and a host of many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded into eternal life by her parents; former husband and father of their children, Ralph Westhoff; daughter, Debra “Debbie” Klostermann; son-in-law, Loras Klostermann; two sisters, one at infancy, and Marjorie Shaw; four brothers, Richard Shaw, Charles Shaw, Francis Shaw, and Michael Shaw; three sisters-in-law, Helen Shaw, Elaine Shaw, and Marilyn Shaw; and seven brothers-in-law, Glen Millard, Kenneth Hansel, Ronald Savago, Gerald (Donna) Manternach, Louis (Dorothy) Manternach, Donald (Dottie) Manternach, and Jack Tinker.