Barbara A Ponarnke

MADISON, WI – Barbara A. Pomarnke, age 94, passed away on Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026, at home with her daughter by her side.

Barbara was born on July 10, 1931, to William and Lucille (Pawlitzke) Stam in Two Rivers, WI. As a child she loved spending summers with her grandparents and learned many things from them. In 1949, Barbara graduated from Edgewood High School and went on to take some classes at UW-Madison. In 1952, she married her husband of 59 years, William Pomarnke.

Barbara's first job was at Wisconsin Power and Light Co. She was very proud of her work there and often shared that she got a raise on her first paycheck. She was able to sort checks "faster than the machine". She was also fond of flower arranging and took great pride in her work in her garden club as well as her time with Felly's Greenhouse. She worked at JC Penney West for many years, which earned her a lifelong employee discount that she loved to use on her salon services. She spent many years teaching CCD classes at Our Lady Queen of Peace and when she retired from JCP she was able to get her true dream job there as church secretary, a role she cherished through her entire tenure and beyond.

Barbara was home with her kids as they grew up and spent many hours planning birthday parties, creating elaborate July 4th parade decorations for her kids' bicycles (including an award-winning Good Ship Lollipop), being den mother for Cub Scouts, and making sure everyone got to their activities. She was also an avid reader; a big fan of Nora Roberts and loved to watch episodes of Murder, She Wrote as well as almost anything on the Hallmark Channel. Her story telling was appreciated by many and her sense of humor kept people laughing through her last days.

Barbara is survived by her children; David (Damaris) of Bumpass, Va., Cheryl of Madison, Wi, and Kevin (Julie) of Cottage Grove, Wi; her seven grandchildren, David Pomarnke II (Lindsey), Susan Erkes (James), Molly Pomarnke-Blake, Samuel Pomarnke-Blake, Lucas Pomarnke, Lauren Pomarnke, and Cody Pomarnke (Hannah); and her four great-grandchildren, Emily and Avery Pomarnke, and Evelyn and Nathan Erkes.

Barbara's family would like to thank: Ada Davis for her much loved weekly visits with Barbara and the priceless grocery support, Nancy Johnson for her daily lunch and chat time, and the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for the kindness and care they provided. It was with all their support that she was able to remain in her home until the end, which was her wish.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at a future date. Mass of Intentions will be said for Barbara at 8:30 am on May 15th and July, 2026, at Our Lady Queen of Peach Church.

Memorials in Barbara's name may be made to: SAIL (Sharing Active Independent Lives), 6209 Mineral Point Rd, #210 Madison, WI 53705.