Kim Marie Neal (Janowiak), born November 22, 1963, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, peacefully transitioned to heaven on May 20, 2026, surrounded by love and family.

Kim was the daughter of Karen Galliart (West) and David Janowiak and was raised in the Milwaukee area alongside her younger brother, David. From an early age, Kim carried a quiet strength, caring spirit, and deep compassion for others that would ultimately define the way she lived her life and cared for the people around her. She graduated from Greenfield High School in 1981 and later earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Lakeland College.

Professionally, Kim dedicated much of her life to serving and supporting others as a social worker and later as a finance specialist. Throughout both her professional and personal life, she built many lasting friendships and relationships that remained important to her throughout her life. During her years at H&R Block, many of her coworkers became close friends, and she genuinely cherished the time they spent together — whether going to dinner, playing bingo, laughing together, or simply enjoying each other’s company. She was hardworking, dependable, and deeply committed to helping people navigate life’s challenges with patience, compassion, and care.

Personally, Kim was known for her loyalty, humility, humor, generosity, and “spicy” personality that those closest to her loved dearly. She was quick-witted, honest, loving, and never afraid to speak her mind when it mattered most. She had a unique ability to make people feel welcomed, comfortable, supported, and cared for simply by being herself.

Kim was a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend whose life was centered around family. As a single mother, she worked multiple jobs, saved diligently, and made countless sacrifices to provide stability, opportunity, and love for her family. She believed strongly in hard work, responsibility, planning ahead, and doing whatever was necessary to care for the people she loved.

Her greatest pride and joy was her son, Byron Neal Jr. They shared a uniquely close bond and spoke nearly every day about life, family, dreams, challenges, sports, and everyday moments. Kim was incredibly proud of the man, husband, father, and leader he became. Through her love, resilience, discipline, and unwavering support, she helped shape the values of faith, perseverance, service, compassion, and family that continue through the generations she leaves behind today.

Kim especially cherished her role as “Grandma Kim.” She deeply loved spending time with Karsyn and Bryson and looked forward to family trips and celebrations in Cincinnati, especially their birthday parties and special moments together. Some of her happiest memories were simply being surrounded by family, laughter, conversation, and love.

Kim found joy in life’s simple but meaningful moments. She loved spending time with close loved ones, sharing good meals with good people, traveling, relaxing with Sudoku puzzles, playing cribbage, caring for her beloved cats, Howie and Bernie — named after characters from one of her favorite shows, The Big Bang Theory — and cheering passionately for the Milwaukee Bucks and Green Bay Packers. She also enjoyed watching Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Big Brother, and Survivor. She appreciated a humble and low-key lifestyle centered around connection, laughter, love, and being fully present with the people who mattered most.

She also had a true servant’s heart. Having previously cared for her mother during her battle with Stage 4 cancer, Kim later faced her own courageous battle with cancer with the same strength, grace, and resilience that defined so much of her life. That same nurturing spirit showed up consistently in the way she cared for family, friends, coworkers, and anyone in need. Caring for others was not simply something Kim did — it was who she was.

Faith remained an important part of Kim’s life throughout her journey. She grew up in the Catholic faith, spent time in the Lutheran church, and remained a believer throughout her life. Her faith helped shape the compassion, grace, resilience, and perspective she carried through both joyful and difficult moments. The family finds comfort in knowing she is now at peace, healed, and resting in the presence of the Lord.

Kim is survived by her loving son, Byron Neal Jr.; daughter-in-law, Taryn Neal; beloved grandchildren, Karsyn and Bryson Neal; brother, David Janowiak Jr.; sister-in-law, Dawnie Janowiak; nephews, Calvin and Issac; former husband and lifelong friend, Byron Neal Sr.; longtime companion and friend, Roy Sanders; Aisha and Quidija; and many other family members, friends, coworkers, and loved ones whose lives were touched by her kindness, humor, generosity, and caring heart.

Though deeply missed, Kim’s love, sacrifices, strength, humor, wisdom, and warmth will continue to live on through the family she raised, the people she cared for, and the countless memories she helped create. In honor of Kim’s caring spirit, the family encourages everyone to take time to check on one another, share a good meal, offer kindness freely, and do something meaningful for someone else — just as Kim so often did throughout her life.

Memorial arrangements for Kim Neal are currently being planned. The family will be holding a small private gathering in the Milwaukee area with close family and loved ones. A separate celebration of life gathering will also be held in Ohio at a later date for extended family and friends. Additional details will be shared once finalized.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that donations be made in Kim Neal’s memory to the American Cancer Society:

https://American Cancer Society/?campaign=honormemorialbutton&lang=en