Helga Marta Zerla

Helga Marta Zerla (Merz), 88, of Tampa, passed away peacefully on June 16th, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. Helga was born in Mannheim, Germany to Adolf Conrad Merz and Maria Magdelena Merz (Reichelt) on May 23rd, 1934. Helga was an extraordinary woman, she lived a life dedicated to her family. She grew up in Germany during World War II, which undoubtedly shaped her attitude about life, motivating her to live each day to the fullest. In the 1950’s she moved to the United States by herself to pursue her dreams. She married Fredric Zerla on August 27th, 1966 in St. Petersburg. Helga was a proud mother of six and grandmother to nine and great grandmother to two, and they kept her busy, which she enjoyed. Sewing and design were her first loves. She began creating wearable art when she was a girl in Mannheim, first as a necessity, later as a luxury. Her craft developed over the years- she designed and made any and all garments- wedding dresses, prom dresses, knitted, crocheted, upholstered furniture- she made anything and made it well. In her spare time, she made baby blankets and knitted baby hats for struggling mothers and babies at local hospitals. Over the years she volunteered at Moffitt and gave regularly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital because of her love for children. Helga made her mark in life through her dedication to her family and by helping others. Something she used to say was that if one is feeling sad, the best way to feel better is to help someone.

Helga is preceded in death by her parents, brother Roland, and sister Ursula. Helga is survived by her husband, Fredric, her children, Kurt Zerla, Heidi Brown (Kevin), Christine Francis (Darryl), Michele Zerla, Eric Zerla (Ann), and Astrid Doty (Jay), her brother Eberhard, and sister Brigitte, her grandchildren Heather, Saundra, Summer, Marshall, August, Ava, Michael, Alexander, and Sophia, and great-Grandchildren, Zaylee and Kaya.

A memorial mass will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at 10:00AM. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, Helga would have preferred donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family of Helga wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Lifepath Hospice for their kind and loving care of our beloved wife, mother, and Oma.