Kim left us on Saturday March 13 at sunset surrounded by loved ones. Kim was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 26, 1957. She graduated from Butler University with a double major and went on to receive a master’s degree from University of Evansville. Kim had a full professional life with the last 16 years at the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Indiana Small Development Center (ISBDC). As the Director of the ISBDC, she and her staff worked diligently to help small businesses around the Tri-State succeed. In 2017, Kim was selected as the 2017 State Star for the ISBDC as the most-trusted advisor in the state network. Kim also worked to start several business initiatives in the community, including the Family Business Alliance, which was created to help family-owned businesses in the Tri-State develop and flourish through the sharing of ideas and resources. Kim also was a champion of early childhood development and served on several boards, including 4C of Southern Indiana, for several years.
Kim leaves behind her husband of 32 years Chris, son Spencer, daughter Olivia, sister Leslie and her husband Bob, nieces Emily (Chris), Julie (Jesse), mother Marjorie Eger and stepfather James Eger, stepsisters Shari Casaburo and Tonda Chin, stepbrother Mike Eger, aunt and uncle Lois and Wendell Schmoe, cousins Jill VanGordon, Dave Schmoe and Doug Schmoe.
Kim was a wife, sister, mother, friend, confidant, advisor, mentor, and most of all, was someone who could be counted on for help. She will be greatly missed by all. There will be no service at this time due to COVID, but a celebration of Kim’s life will be scheduled in June for friends, family, and colleagues. To honor Kim’s memory, we ask that donations be made in her name to 4C of Southern Indiana (https://www.child-care.org/). We all look forward to the day when we will see her again.
Simple Cremation Evansville is entrusted with care.
Doug Lippert says
Absolutely gutted by the news of Kim’s passing and doing my best to recall the times I made her laugh so hard she cried. For some reason, she was susceptible to my irreverent sense of humor and my ability to keep a straight face in those Deaconess Hospital meeting when she could not, which only encouraged me.
Chris and family…so very sad that you have lost your wife and mom. And, really? 32 years since you guys got married, it just seems like a year ago.
Rest in peace, Kimberly.
Sally Kurtz Thompson says
Dear Mrs. Howard, Leslie and entire family, I am so sad to hear of Kim’s passing. One of our Butler friends alerted me as she saw Kim’s obit in a Butler newsletter. It was shocking news, and seeing this fabulous photo of her brings back a flood of memories. It doesn’t look like she aged a bit, and still sassy and confident. I’ve thought of her often, and now that she’s passed, I want to call any and all friends past and present every time they pop into my head. I am devastated that Kim and I will never have that opportunity.
We had so much fun together in our early years and I will cherish those memories. Do you remember the song we wrote about Butler?
Every day we check the mail
On the hour without fail
Our impatience we must curtail
Cuz of box is empty everyday
Oh hell (hail)!
Some of the other verses I have chosen to forget!
What I will remember most is that she told great stories and always made me laugh.
My deepest condolences to all of you … family, extended family, her nieces and nephews and the husband and children I never had the opportunity to meet.