Sally Anderson

Sally Sobota Anderson, 71, passed away on November 8, 2026, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Born on April 15, 1955, to Ralph and TC Sobota, Sally grew up in the small farming community of Alma Center, Wisconsin. Her deep love for animals blossomed early during rides on neighborhood ponies, Tiny Trouble and Petey, and visits to her grandparents' farm in Independence, Wisconsin. That childhood affection grew into a lifelong devotion to caring for and protecting animals.

Sally married Kyle Anderson in 1977 and they lived in Houston, Texas, for six years before moving back to Wisconsin and settling in De Pere. There, her dream of having her own farm came true. She and Kyle built a hobby farm, which was home to two horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, and ducks. You could always find a dog or two at her heels.

The farm was where her nieces and nephews came to love animals the way Sally did. They remember brushing the goats, riding the horses, and fishing in the duck pond, with Sally in the middle of it all, happiest when an animal was close by. Of everything she leaves behind, the love of animals she passed on to them is the legacy she would be proudest of.

Sally's advocacy for animals reached far beyond her own pastures. She generously gave her time and financial support to animal rescues and sanctuaries, including Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and most recently, the Trempealeau County Humane Society. A steadfast champion for the humane treatment of animals, she attended protests and supported organizations working to protect pets, farm animals, and wildlife from abuse. Sally became the community's beacon for animals in distress. When a sheep named Lambchop needed a home, local animal lovers knew exactly who to call. Upon Lambchop's arrival at the farm, a neighbor remarked, "That sheep has died and gone to heaven"-a simple observation that truly captured the essence of Sally's heart.

Sally and Kyle later retired to Trempealeau, Wisconsin, where her love of animals continued to enrich their lives. Although their household grew smaller, with just two cats, they created a welcoming backyard sanctuary for the wild birds and white-tailed deer that visited their home.

For the last decade of her life, a battle with neuropathy limited her mobility and slowed her physical activity, but it could not dim her spirit. Instead, she channeled her energy into a passion for politics that she inherited from her mother. Her family wishes she could have celebrated the blue tsunami with us.

Her family finds solace in knowing she is now reunited across the Rainbow Bridge with the many four-legged, slobbery, raspy-tongued loved ones who have been patiently waiting for her. What a joyous reunion it must have been.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and TC Sobota. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Kyle Anderson; her sisters, Sara (Bill) Dobyns, Peg (John) Hayden, and Mary Sobota (Dan Shaw); and her nieces and nephews, Ian, Hannah, Cate, Tim, Lily, and Sam.

If you would like to honor Sally, please make a donation to the Trempealeau County Humane Society (tchspets.org) or any animal rescue group of your choice.