Betty Ann Merta, 86, of Lisbon, died Sunday, August 14, 2022, in her home.  Celebration of life gathering will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2022, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Private family inurnment will be at a later date in Dupont Cemetery near Swisher.

Betty was born November 27, 1935, in rural Swisher, the daughter of George and Marie (Detert) Zach.  She graduated from Shueyville High School, class of 1954.   Betty was united in marriage to Marvin Merta on September 11, 1954.  She worked as a day care provider for many years. She enjoyed fishing, playing bingo, scratch tickets, gardening, mushroom hunting, and most of all spending time with her family especially the grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her children Darrell (Norma) Merta of Mt. Vernon, Cindy (Jeff) Helmick of Stone City,  and Mary Jo (Noel) Washburn of Cedar Rapids; eight grandchildren Josh (Karen) Merta, Travis (Amanda) Merta, Doria (Richard) Cook, Jeremy (Nikki) Nost, Dustin (Keegan) Gross, A.J. (Jessica) Gross, Thad (Whitney) Washburn, and Austin (Catherine) Washburn; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-greatgrandson; her sister-in-law Peg Zach of Cedar Rapids; as well as her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Marvin, her son Terry Merta, son-in-law Bob Gross, her siblings Robert (Geraldine) Zach, Roman (Elaine) Zach, Elaine (Butch) Sedlacek.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Mercy Medical Center, Hospice of Mercy, Lindsay Welsh, Nikki, and Doria for their loving care of Babi and fulfilling her wishes of staying in her home.  "It's fine, it's fine, everything's fine."