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Long-serving First City Councillor and “social conscience” of the city has died at the age of 79
Riedstadt. The town of Riedstadt mourns the loss of Erika Zettel. The long-serving local politician and SPD member passed away on August 11 at the age of 79. For more than 36 years, she shaped the political life of the town – first in the municipal council, later as First Deputy Mayor and First City Councillor.
Zettel became involved in local politics shortly after the 1977 regional reform. From 1989 she served on the municipal council, and from 1997 to 2013 she was First Deputy Mayor. During this time, from October 2010 to April 2011, she also served as acting head of the city administration. She declined to run for mayor herself, despite being considered a strong contender.
Erika Zettel received numerous awards for her services, including the Federal Cross of Merit, the City of Riedstadt's Gold Medal of Honor, and honorary letters from the city and state. In 2014, she was appointed an honorary city councilor.
Mayor Marcus Kretschmann praised her as "pragmatic and solution-oriented" and emphasized her high standing across party lines. He noted her particular commitment to social causes, which earned her the reputation of "Riedstadt's social conscience.".
In addition to her political work, Zettel was active in town twinning and maintained close contacts with the partner towns of Brienne-le-Château (France), Sortino (Italy), and Tauragé (Lithuania). Furthermore, she headed the local court in Goddelau for many years and was involved in the working group on Goddelau's history.
Erika Zettel is survived by a daughter and two grandchildren. "She deserved every award we have to offer," said Kretschmann. The city of Riedstadt will honor her memory.
(RED/PSR)
