Kim Laughlin of Lead, South Dakota, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025 surrounded by her family at Monument Health, Rapid City Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.  She was 64.

Kimberly Kay Paulson was born on August 6, 1960 in Hudson, South Dakota to Spencer and Bonnie Paulson.  The oldest of her two siblings, Lisa and Darren, Kim was active in her church and school where she was an excellent basketball player, high jumper, and student.  Kim attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and shortly after met her future husband, Jeff.

Kim and Jeff eventually settled in the Black Hills where they raised their three daughters, Amber, Neili, and Audra.  Kim was an educator at Black Hills Special Services for nearly 40 years.  She was also a foster parent for children with disabilities for many years.  She was a one-of-a-kind teacher who was loved by her students and staff alike.  Kim truly believed that everyone could learn and everyone deserved an opportunity.

Kim was a loving wife and partner to Jeff.  They had a relationship that could have been the script for a movie or book which she would have loved to watch or read.  If you were lucky enough to have her in your life, she was the biggest cheerleader you could ever have.  She was a nurturing and supporting mother to her daughters, a compassionate and doting grandmother to her three grandchildren, Addison, Ryan, and Hayden, and was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend, and so much more.

She is survived by her husband Jeff Laughlin of Lead, South Dakota; daughters Amber (Jeremy) Keller and children Addison and Ryan of  Spearfish, South Dakota, Neili Laughlin (Tanner Jurgensen) of Rapid City, South Dakota, Audra Laughlin and daughter Hayden of Spearfish, South Dakota; parents, Spencer and Bonnie Paulson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sister Lisa (Mark) Lundgren and son Derek of Luverne, Minnesota; brother, Darren (Lynn)  Paulson of Rapid City, South Dakota, and numerous other family members and friends.

The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at Monument Health, Rapid City Hospital for providing care and comfort for Kim and her family.

Kim was a fierce advocate for children and families of all backgrounds and believed that every child deserves a good meal, often providing meals and snacks herself to those who were in need or want.  In lieu of flowers or plants, the family is requesting that a donation be made in Kim's name to a local school lunch program to help with the cost of outstanding lunch balances.  Thank you for helping Kim continue her advocacy for these children and their families.