Sally A. Neja, nee Stoffel, 51, of West Bend, passed away Monday, Nov. 12, 2012 at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa. She was born on April 15, 1961 in West Bend to Mathias and Teresa (nee Reinders) Stoffel.

Sally was born the sixth of nine children. She may have started out quiet but there wasn’t a middle child bone in her body as life went on – she was a force to be reckoned with.

Sally had a great life growing up on Poplar Street in West Bend. Her “Mayberrylike” upbringing set the stage for how she lived her life. She was a good neighbor and a good person. She was as real as they come.

While in college, Sally got engaged to the love of her life, Pete. Sally and Pete were united in marriage on Aug. 12, 1983 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend. They stayed in West Bend, making a full and happy life together surrounded by lots of friends and family.

In her late 20s, Sally was diagnosed with lupus. While it is a horrible disease, it only made her stronger in her conviction to enjoy her life and live it to its fullest. She realized that time was precious. She had a no-nonsense approach to how she handled things and didn’t worry about the little stuff. For a long time, lupus had met its match.

Sally was a devoted wife. She and Pete had a beautiful marriage. They had a partnership that was a model for other couples. They truly enjoyed spending time together, appreciated each other’s company, and treasured time with both the Stoffel and Neja families.

She was an amazing mom. She had a very close relationship with their daughter, Haley. They were an inseparable pair. Even when Haley was off at college, they talked every day, sharing every little detail with each other. Sally found great joy in all of Haley’s accomplishments. Sal couldn’t have been more proud of the young woman that Haley has become.

She was a dedicated daughter. Sally loved spending time with her parents. She was proud of the family that they had raised and took note from them on what made them successful. She was an extraordinary sister. She kept in regular touch with all of her siblings, nieces and nephews. She was genuinely interested in all that they were doing and loved to share stories of their accomplishments. She never let distance be a factor in how close they really were.

Sally was a cherished friend. She could light up a room. She was bright, funny, engaging, trustworthy, cocky, loveable, unpretentious and genuine. There is no way to fill the void she will leave behind.

She worked at Lutz Chiropractic for 14 years. Sally was vibrant, always greeting her patients with a smile. She was like family.

She was an avid sports fan. She followed her Packers, Steelers and Brewers religiously. She enjoyed tennis, golf and biking.

Sally saw beauty in all of God’s creations. She walked her dog Nika every day over lunch and couldn’t get enough of the outdoors. She loved blooming daffodils, white sand beaches, freshly fallen snow, Hawaiian sights, raging thunderstorms and funnel clouds.

Sally had an unwavering faith. It was what got her through every battle she faced. She didn’t take life for granted … ever. She will be teaching life lessons long after she is gone.

She is genuinely loved, greatly cherished, deeply missed. She was Sal.

Sally is survived by her husband, Pete; a daughter, Haley Neja of West Bend; her parents, Mathias and Teresa Stoffel of West Bend; seven siblings, Mary (Dennis) Welch of Mukwonago, Patricia (James) Vanderhout of Bayside, Kathleen (Mark) Freel of Michigan, Thomas (Ingrid) Stoffel of Wauwatosa, Steven (Jeanne) Stoffel of Georgia, James (Judy) Stoffel of Minnesota, and Michael (Jennifer) Stoffel of Minnesota; her parents-inlaw, Robert and Anne Neja of West Bend; three brothers-inlaw, Allen Wickland of Pewaukee, Robert (Karen) Neja of West Bend, and Steve (Linda) Neja of Arkansas; a sister-in-law, Beth (Richard) Roth of Stevens Point; 30 nieces and nephews, Andrew (Wendi) Welch, Amy Vanderhout, Jessica Wickland, Brian (Nicole) Wickland, Zachary Freel, Grace Freel, Michelle (Ben) Huffman, Kelsey (fiancé Mike Morrison) Stoffel, Alison Stoffel, Connor Stoffel, Alek Stoffel, Derrik Stoffel, Jack Stoffel, Ben Stoffel, Paul Weigel, Rachel Weigel, Sam Stoffel, Ellen Stoffel, Greg Stoffel, Madison Stoffel, Ty Stoffel, William (Bridget) Neja, Andrew Neja, Christopher Neja, Kayla Neja, Kelsie Neja, Luke Neja, Allie Roth, Megan Roth, and Joey Roth; two greatnephews, Wilson Welch and Owen Welch; and many aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Anne Wickland.

A Mass of Christian Burial in remembrance of Sally will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church, West Bend. Burial will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery, West Bend. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

Sally was passionate about raising money to fight Lupus through golf outings and walks.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to The Alliance for Lupus Research, 28 W. 44th St., Suite 501, New York, NY 10036 or www.lupusresearch.org.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service, West Bend, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.myrhumpatten.com.