Marlo Poffenberger

MADISON--Marlo Inez Marie Poffenberger, 17 months, passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at UW Children's Hospital, Madison. Born on December 3, 2019 at St. Mary's Hospital Madison, daughter of Jennifer Shere and Jason “Stan” Poffenberger.

Marlo Inez Marie Poffenberger danced her way to heaven on May 20, 2021 — or maybe she ran, like when she chased her chickens. Or perhaps she scampered away like she would do when you asked her, “Did you poop?” and did not want you to change her diaper.

It was not her time to go. The hours in the children’s hospital turned into days, and the days turned into weeks. Marlo passed away from a very preventable death. And her parents will fight to make sure other families do not suffer from the same neglect and fate.

But for now, we will remember how she lived. She would dance, dance, dance. You would not teach her moves; she just knew. We learned from her that dancing is just a natural thing.

And she loved to laugh.  Marlo’s laugh made you laugh. She was curious and headstrong and smart, she constantly observed and learned and tried to do what she saw you do — but in her own style.

She went through books like crazy, because she would always carry them around, chewing on them when she was teething. She loved Dr Seuss books — some of her favorites were “The Nose Book” and “Mr. Brown Can Moo.”

She had two cats and a family of chickens that she would help Mama and Dada care for. Marlo knew she could not get away with tackling the chickens, but she would tackle her cats, Squee and Oscar, climbing on top of them until they surrendered. She loved her kitties. If Marlo was crying, all you had to do was bring her a cat, and she’d stop.

She loved eating spinach, and she loved cheese! Especially shredded cheddar cheese. If she did not like a particular food, all her parents had to do was sprinkle some cheese on it. Marlo was a Wisconsin girl at heart.

From the time Marlo was born, she loved being outside. All she had to do was breathe fresh air and play with a cardboard box, and she was happy.  She would fall asleep, strapped to daddy, as he planted the trees and bushes that now thrive around their home. She loved taking baths with Mama. She loved the skateboard Daddy was setting up for her. She loved swinging in her swing. She loved her yellow rain boots. She loved life.

Marlo left us too soon. She had so much more love and laughs and dances to give to the world. One song that Marlo would always dance to when it came on was “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star. Marlo may have faded from this earth, but she will never fade from our hearts.

Survivors include: Jennifer Shere Jason (Stan) Poffenberger (parents) Zayden Smith (brother) Annabelle Shere (sister) Marlo Shere (grandfather) Ray Poffenberger (Grandfather) Susan Poffenberger (grandmother) Lorraine Klossner (great grandmother) Kim Baxter, Lesa Wieck, Linda Wahl (aunt's)

Preceded in death by Marie Smith (grandmother) Inez Miller (great grandmother) Walter Klossner (great grandfather)

Private family service on May 28, 2021 at 3 pm.

Family is hosting a public gathering, at 1156 Olin-Turville Ct, Madison, WI 53715, Olin Park Pavilion, on Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 12 Noon to10 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. All are welcome.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406