Helen Marie Merta, 82 of Fairfax, died Monday, November 14 at Mercy Medical Center. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 17 at Blessed John XXIII, with Fr. Dustin Vu presiding. Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brosh Chapel, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, where there will be a 7 p.m. vigil service followed by a rosary. Helen was born April 26, 1929 in rural Ely, the daughter of Frank and Mary Ann (Rehak) Dostal. She married Jerry E. Merta on November 18, 1947 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Helen enjoyed sewing, baking kolaches, fishing, polka dancing, and spending time with her family at picnics and get-togethers. She was the happiest being around her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen is survived by her son, Dennis (Sharlene) Merta and their children Brian, Lonnie, and Denise; her daughter, Patricia (James) Brush and their children Tamara and Jeremy; seven great-grandchildren Jace, Teagan, Blake, Braylon, Reese, Ella, and Tyler; her sister Esther Kadlec of Robins; and a brother Arnold "Arnie" (Marlene) Dostal of Cedar Rapids. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jerry, a brother Marvin Dostal, and a brother-in-law George Kadlec. Memorials may be directed to the family.