Wife of the late Jack Kerman for 45 years; Mother of Byron Kerman and Rebecca Kerman Alon; Daughter of the late Philip Kalmes and the late Blanche Kalmes; Sister of Beverly Rappaport (Elliot) and the late Elliot Kalmes (late Marcy); dear aunt, cousin and friend.
Arleen began her career as a bookkeeper for the Siteman Organization. She later served as the Business Manager at Center of Creative Arts (COCA).
She had a special touch with plants and was a plant propagator for African Violets for many years.
Arleen’s absolute favorite hobby was cooking. She was known for multi-course Pesach and Rosh Hashanah dinners, where people were crammed in wall-to-wall and we could barely open the door for Elijah! Her banana bread was legendary, and her recipe even won a First Prize at the Hartke Nursery Baking Competition.
Arleen loved volunteering and at holidays and events at Shaare Zedek Synagogue and helped organize fundraisers.
During her retirement, she enjoyed growing vegetables and herbs in her garden in recent years and working part-time at Kakao Chocolate to stay busy. Arleen doted on her Australian Shepherd dog Rusty, who provided much love and joy to her, especially after Jack passed away in 2014.
Graveside service Thursday, June 29, 11:00 AM at Chevra Kadisha Cemetery, 1601 North and South Rd. 63130. Memorial Contributions preferred to Jewish Federation of St. Louis (www.jfedstl.org) and the Center of Creative Arts (https://www.cocastl.org/).
