It is with a broken heart that I share the passing of my mother and best friend Marie Hoff.

She brought so much happiness and light into my life. My mom was born in La Crosse WI, on September 11, 1951, to Jerome Hoff and Irene Hanken Hoff.

She was the 3rd of 4 children. Mom attended St. John’s School and graduated from Logan High School in1969. While a young girl she loved her family and would come home from school every day and help her mom cook and clean for her father and 3 other siblings whom she loved passionately with all her heart. Mom loved gardening. She was always working in the yard, mowing, trimming, raking leaves, growing flowers and enjoying the beauty of a wellmaintained yard. In the house she loved painting and hanging wallpaper. The house had to be as perfect as the yard. Next was her car. She washed and waxed her car just like her dad taught her both inside and out. Mom loved everything to be perfect. She wouldn’t leave the house without her hair and face done. She was a beautiful woman! When it came to animals, she could talk to them and they would come to her especially the dogs, squirrels, wild turkeys and birds when she lived in South Dakota on that game preserve. Also, her mom’s Cockatiel Molly who followed her around the house.

As an adult Mom worked as a CNA for various Nursing Homes in WI and MN. The residents at the care centers loved her immensely because she provided loving care to all of them. Mom married my father Tim Dolato and they had 3 children: Brenda, William and Nikki. They later divorced and she married Robert Schara. Mom was a loving and caring mother to his 4 children. Mom is survived by her daughters Brenda Whitwam and Nikki Burk, brothers Duane(Judy) Hoff, Warren(Karen) Hoff, sister Barbara(Larry) Saunders. Grandchildren: Mia Burk, Ariana Burk, Samantha Fetzer and DeAnn Connor Nephews Jon (Jennifer) Hoff, Chris (Stephanie) Hoff, the Schara children: Stephanie, Sarah, Steve and Scott, as well as great-grandchildren and great nieces and nephews.

Preceding mom in death are her parents, her husband’s Tim Dolato and Robert Schara, her son William Dolato.

A small service and visitation will be held from 10-11:00 am on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St. Onalaska, WI 54650. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am. Inurnment will take place at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park.  A Celebration of Marie’s Life will be held at a later date this spring.

Instead of flowers memorials are requested.

Condolences may be made to the family by visiting CouleeCremation.com.