Kim Welsch, 68, passed away late on the night of August 30th after a battle with cancer, surrounded by family.

Kim was born on August 20, 1956, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Isabelle Ann Shaw Stevens and Robert Leland Stevens. The oldest of 3 children, she was raised in Kent, Washington, where she attended school and spent most of her free time reading. She graduated from Kentridge High School and did financial work for a mortgage company before eventually meeting and marrying Keith Welsch. After living a short time in Ohio and New York, the couple settled down in Richland, Washington, where they raised 9 children together.

Throughout the years, Kim wore many hats in her efforts to support her family. While there were young kids at home, she sold baked goods, managed the family’s many newspaper routes, worked her dream job at See’s Candy, and was a mental health transcriptionist. As her kids grew, she made her way back to finance. While working full-time and with several kids still at home, she earned an associate’s degree in accounting from Columbia Basin College, always achieving the high grades she expected as a parent.

Perhaps the hallmark of Kim’s life was her tireless devotion to family. A biological mother to 8, grandmother to 18, and friend and support to many more, she dedicated so much to loved ones. She leaves a legacy that will live on in and through the many lives she has influenced.

Kim was a voracious reader and researcher, avid exerciser, reptile enthusiast, gardener, and sci-fi/murder-mystery aficionado. She was well-known and -loved for her quick wit, unique brand of humor, intelligence, sewing abilities, and baking prowess. An intentionally reserved and observant woman, she was brimming with skill, talent, and wisdom, a light to all who got to know her. She will be missed immensely.

Kim is preceded in death by her father, Robert Stevens, grandparents Golden & Rhea Stevens and William & Zylpha Shaw, grandson Kaleb Ashley, leopard gecko Ellie, and chameleon Frederick.

She is survived by her mother Ann Stevens; husband Keith Welsch; sister Amy (John) Summers, brother Tom (Peni) Stevens; daughters Karissa (Dave) Acton and Kaci (Kyler) Ashley; sons Kristopher, Kory (Eryn Hugo), Kelly (Karlyn), Kameron (Stephanie), Kyler (Megan), and Konnor (Nikhia); and her grandchildren Tanith, Tesla, Caileigh, Aislinn, Orson, Aileana, Kryn, Keith, Oona, Kimber, Arya, Annalise, Kaya, Scarlett, Kelson, Vera, and Keeley.

Memorial services will be held in her honor Saturday, September 21st. Services will include a public viewing at 9 am and a service at 11 am, both at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 1720 Thayer Drive in Richland. A graveside service will follow at 1 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens.