Kimberly Joy Houghton

     Kimberly Joy Houghton (June 7th, 1964 to September 27th, 2024) lived a life indicative of her middle name, full of Joy. Kim was born in Delta Colorado to Richard and Jeanne (Frey) Palmer of Cedaredge Colorado. Kim spent her childhood with her parents and brother camping, fishing, riding motorcycles, snowmobiles, taking advantage of recreating in this beautiful area and making memories. Kim also spent much of her younger years working (and playing) at her family's ranch and orchard business Palmer and Company. While attending Cedaredge High School she worked at the local Palmer and Company packing shed.

     After graduating from Cedaredge High School in 1982, she traveled and worked at Bullfrog Marina in Lake Powell, Utah. She then returned to Cedaredge and as her parents and grandparents did before her, she planted deep roots in this community that she loved. Kim and Jeffrey Houghton began their relationship at the Applefest street dance in 1988 and went on to be married in Cedaredge on April 14th, 1990. Together they started a family, built a house, a business and a life they cherished. Kim always enjoyed having chickens, ducks, sheep and other animals and always had a following of adoring farm animals wherever she went on their property. Kim enjoyed several career accomplishments like owning her own fitness center, working at the local bank, and handling the day to day operations for Houghton Enterprises, but her greatest accomplishment and joy was being home raising their two daughters, Samantha and Jessie. She loved nothing more than spending time camping, hunting, fishing and four wheeling with family.

     Becoming a grandmother to Case and Oliver was one of the major highlights of her life. Their love and connection was unwavering. They were best friends and the boys affectionately called her Mama. She spent all of her spare time with them and they were inseparable to the very end. 

     Nicknamed “Sweet Kimmie” she was well known among family, friends and her community for radiating love, happiness, and kindness wherever she went. Her smile, infectious laugh, and comforting hugs were things that anyone lucky enough to have met her will never forget. She was the first to lend a helping hand and provide solace to many while asking nothing in return, often being a beloved mother figure to many more than just her own children. Although she was best known for her kind and friendly nature, those that knew her best knew that she would also fiercely protect her family whether it be friend, foe, or magpie.

     She was the wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma, friend and person that we can all only aspire to be. She was the first to bring a warm meal and a handmade gift to celebrate new life or any momentous occasion. She was always present and showed up for those she loved. The abundance of friends and family that surrounded her revealed her true wealth.  

      Waiting for her at the Door to Heaven was her Mother Jeanne Palmer and her Father in law Fred Houghton Jr.. Her spirit is carried on by her Husband Jeffrey Houghton, Children: Samantha (Justin) Huberd, Jessie Houghton and her Fiance Nathan Thayn, her Grandchildren: Case and Oliver Huberd, Father Richard Palmer, Brother Andrew (Rhonda) Palmer, Nieces: Ashley Palmer and Mickala (Jace) Cline, Great Nieces:  Maliya and Abby Salazar and her Great Nephews: Ryan and Holden Cline; along with many other aunts, uncles, cousins, family members and close friends.  

      Kim’s life may have been cut much shorter than any of us wanted after battling stage four pancreatic cancer but as Abraham Lincoln once said “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It's life in your years.” and man did she live. Even through her hardships in the end she stayed true to her optimistic self, and her true grit, faith and grace were exemplified. Her legacy will carry on forever, reminding us to love deeply, spread joy, smile big, show up for those you love, stand your ground, laugh often and fully so that even the person three isles down in the grocery store knows who’s laugh it is, and most of all take the time to make sure you are filling your years with life! 

     Per Kim’s wishes there are no services planned. A celebration of life will occur at a later date. In her memory and in lieu of flowers please consider donating to her GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/3ce8267c) where proceeds will go directly to helping the family cover medical bills and end of life costs. For alternative ways to donate and support the family please contact Jessie Houghton.

     We cannot thank all of you enough for your prayers, support and contributions over the past few months. The amount of people that have shown up in ways we could never imagine is truly breathtaking and a testament to the incredible person Kim was and the beauty of this community.