Arlene Marie (Huck) Clerc, 86, of Prairie du Rocher, passed away at 8:12 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 at R & R Country Care Senior Living in Ruma. She was born to the late Julius and Evelyn (Zerwig) Huck on March 8, 1938 in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Arlene married Garland “Gene” Clerc on Oct. 10, 1959 in Ste. Genevieve, MO, and he preceded her in death on May 13, 2021.
She is survived by: six children: Kathleen (Robert) Greenberg of Ringgold, GA, Daryl (Pamela) Clerc of Prairie du Rocher, Dean Clerc of St. Charles, MO, Duane Clerc of Prairie du Rocher, Daniel (Jane) Clerc of Bonney Lake, WA and Kelly Kertz of St. Louis, MO; 12 grandchildren: Jeremy (Ashley) Greenberg, Alissa (Glen) Broom, Jennine (Cody) Weber, Elliot Clerc, Caitlin Clerc, Lauren Clerc, Maura Clerc, Hannah (Andrew) Robertson, Sam Clerc, Rachel Clerc, Livie Kertz and Maggie Kertz; six great-grandchildren: Isaac Greenberg, Joey Weber, Theo Weber, Bella Weber, Piper Weber and Hanna Weber; two daughters-in-law: Pamela Clerc and Jane Clerc; one son-in-law: Robert Greenberg; one brother: Wayne Huck; one sister: Arneda (Huck) Kimball; one sister-in-law: Karla (Basler) Huck; and one brother-in-law: Dennis Kimball. Preceding her in death besides her parents and husband were: her brothers: Delbert Huck and Vernon Huck; sisters-in-law: Dee (Burrell) Huck and Rita (Moellering) Huck; daughter-in-law: Julie (Wyers) Clerc; and son-in-law: Jason Kertz.
Arlene graduated from Valle Catholic High School in Saint Genevieve, Missouri. While attending high school, she began coursework through Art Instruction Schools and completed her art training shortly thereafter. Following several years of employment in St. Louis, MO, she married her sweetheart, Gene Clerc. Together, they settled in Prairie du Rocher and raised their family of six children. Arlene and Gene lived in Prairie du Rocher for the rest of their lives and were married for 61 years.
In addition to being a homemaker, Arlene was a gifted illustrator and oil painter. Throughout the years, she enjoyed teaching private oil painting classes in her “Little Blue Shed” studio on the family farm. Arlene was also a published poet, a talented seamstress, and a creative crafter of all things beautiful and whimsical. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher. Arlene will always be remembered for her extraordinary listening skills, her quiet, nurturing acts of kindness, her empathy and patience for others, and her lifelong dedication and love for her husband, her family and her friends.
A private funeral service was held at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Red Bud on Dec. 20 with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating. Arlene was laid to rest at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Prairie du Rocher.
Memorial contributions can be made to Maple Creek Hospice in Arlene’s memory.