Surrounded by her loving family whispering, “We love you so … we’ll see you later,” Sara Beth Mattingly, 26, took the hand of her Lord Jesus and entered heaven on December 5, 2013.

Sara was born to Cindy and Paul Mattingly on Monday, August 31, 1987. She celebrated her second birthday on August 17, 1999, when she received the “gift of life” … her heart transplant. On February 17, 2011, Sara met Aaron, the love of her life. They connected through their core values of faith and family. She loved spending time “just being” with Aaron. They planned to wed on May 10, 2014.

Sara’s family includes her fiancé, Aaron Warnke, her parents, Paul and Cindy Mattingly, her sisters and brother-in-laws, Amy and Jacob Wagner and Teresa and Brian Bentler, and her beautiful nieces, Adelyn and Karah Bentler. Sara was a veterinary technician student. Her love of animals was unsurpassed. Her pet family includes her dogs, Tommy and Riley (her “boys”), and her cat, Lexi. Sara enjoyed reading, writing, movies and date nights.

Sara’s visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, from 4 – 7pm and on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, from 10 am until the time of service. Her Celebration of Life service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood or donating to Waupaca’s H.E.L.P. Dog Shelter Rescue, Inc. or the Trinity Lutheran Agape Fund. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences available at www.hollyfuneralhome.com.