Marlene Bergeron Champagne

Marlene Bergeron Champagne of Upper Little Caillou, Houma, Louisiana, passed peacefully on June 28, 2025 after a life spent as a loving daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Marlene was known for her kitchen that always had enough food for all of us to drop in for a meal, and if you were fortunate you left with a bottle of her famous pepper vinegar or a jar of fig preserves.

She was deeply devoted to her family and her faith. She had a positive impact on so many young people in her bayou community who were fortunate enough to be a student in her home-based kindergarten and, later, to be in the classroom where she served as a teacher's aide at the local elementary schools.

Marlene and her beloved husband "Ponoke" (Leon) were well known throughout the community: he as the captain of the Joni John and she as its "CFO." Her children, John Champagne (Maureen Callahan) and Joni Huerstel (Edward Huerstel), were a constant source of pride, as was her grandson, Cooper Huerstel. Cooper's marriage to Mary Joy Arguelles and the birth of their son and her great grandchild, Jacob, brought so much joy in her final years.

Marlene's family foundation was anchored by the fact that her sister and best friend, Claudette Bascle, lived just a few houses down the street. Marlene is also survived by her sister Carmer Falgout and was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Pearl Bergeron, as well as her brothers Richard Bergeron and James "Boo" Bergeron. Marlene's many nieces and nephews know how deeply loved they were.

The family would like to thank the kind caregivers at Sugar Mill Point as well as the hospice team at Haydel Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Leon "Ponoke" and Marlene Champagne Seminarian Endowment Fund established by the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana for young seminarians. Donations can be made at www.catholicfoundationsl.org or P.O. Box 505 Schriever, LA 70395.

Further service details are to come.