Salinas

Erika Annemarie Ofer was born on November 30, 1947 and passed away on May 18, 2025 at Madonna Gardens in Salinas. She was raised in the Rhineland Palatinate region of Central Germany and educated through German school systems in Ludwigshafen Am Rhein. Bilingual and fluent in German and English, she immigrated to the United States in 1975 where she met and married Jay De- Serpa. She received her American Citizenship in 1978.

Her professional career included experience in police and legal administration in Germany and finance and accounting systems with auto dealerships and hotels on the Central Coast. More recently she was involved in real estate projects with DeSerpa Investments LP. Civically Erika was active with the California International Airshow, the National Steinbeck Center, Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley and the CSUMB Pay It Forward Program. She is amember of both The Club At Pasadera and Corral de Tierra Country Club.

Recreationally she enjoyed swimming, golf, tennis, skiing, cruising and fishing. With Jay she travelled throughout the USA, Europe, Asia, Mexico, South America and Canada. A beautiful woman with a gracious manner and vivacious personality, she most enjoyed entertaining family and friends at home.

Erika was predeceased by her parents Otto & Maria Ofer. She is survived by her husband Jay, two sons Mike (Cindy) and Jim (Megan) Sayer and stepchildren Rick (Kelley) and Kristi DeSerpa and a brother Dietmar Ofer (Marylou) of Germany. She also leaves eight grandchildren; Corey, Chad & Ethan Sayer, Erin, Nikki & Katie DeSerpa and Makena &Hayden Stone.

At her direction no services will be held. Memorial donations may be sent to the Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, 5 Lower Ragsdale, Monterey, CA 93940.

Funeral Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home.

Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com