Hillary Ann Bouton, beloved daughter of Michael Bouton and Katherine Williams, passed away peacefully at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol, SD on June 15, 2018 on what would've been her grandmother, Adeline Williams' 79th birthday.

Services will take place at a later date.

From a very early age, Hillary dealt with the same genetic illness (OPCA) that claimed her mother and her grandmother. She battled it with a heart full of joy and a smile that lit up the world.

Hillary was born in Huron, SD, lived in Mitchell, SD, and later moved to Sioux City, IA with her mother when her parents divorced.   Hillary's life was short, but full.  She spent her early childhood with her constant companion; her dog, Misty, and weekends with her father until her mother was no longer able to care for her.  At that time her dad became a constant presence in her life and cared for her lovingly until she entered Sun Dial Manor on Wednesday, June 13 ^th , 2018.

Hillary attended grade school in Sioux City, graduating with honors from Sioux City West in 2004. She attained a degree in horticulture at Western Iowa Tech Community College in 2007, working on the campus grounds, and tending garden and plants everywhere with her unique talent.  Hillary would always be able to identify plants as they poked through the surface in the spring, and what to cut back, or not, in the fall. The earth was her highly respected friend.   She would remain positive as she advised her family on their errors in their own gardens, with a smile and a kind word of advice on how to fix it for next year.  This was an attitude that served her well all her life.

By the time Hillary finished college, it was clear that she would be unable to work, so she and her father decided that she would stay at home and follow her passions, keeping her dad company as long as she was able.

Hillary, Mike, and Misty put thousands of miles on their little car, visiting book stores and thrift shops. Together, they amassed a vast and varied music collection and shared their love of all types of music with their family and friends.  They camped, traveled to see their favorite bands in concert, and enjoyed the outdoors.  They were always seeking out buried treasures somewhere, and many times, finding them. Neither Mike nor Hillary ever considered Hillary's disease a factor, and always lived in the moment during their many trips.  They "struck while the iron was hot."

Hillary took great care to always choose the most thoughtful gifts.  Her family always looked forward to the multiple packages she would thrust on them as she came through the door for a visit.  Nothing could happen till her gifts were open and exclaimed over.  There were always giggles.  Giggling with Hillary was its own joyous event.

Sports were Hillary's passion.  She and her dad held season tickets for the Sioux City Musketeers Hockey season for as many years as she was able to attend.  They have fond memories of their many adventures following the team throughout the upper Midwest, and even into Canada.  Hillary also followed professional golfers with extreme interest, especially if they were pleasing to the eye.

Hillary's love of life was always apparent.  She never questioned her reason for being.  She only embraced it.  A favorite family memory is a trip to a bakery on her birthday and telling her she could have anything she wanted. She chose one of everything as she exclaimed, "You only live once!"   Hillary taught us well.

Hillary is survived by her father, Mike Bouton and their faithful companion, Missy, of Sioux City, Iowa, her aunt, Karen (Paul) Johnson of Webster, SD. Her uncle, Michael Williams (Ralf Reuschenbach) of Minneapolis, MN, Cousins, Leslie (JJ) Anderson of Valley Springs, SD, Lynnsey (Chad) Sichmeller, of Webster, SD along with their children, and Hillary's very favorite people; Shae and Sean Sichmeller.

Hillary also embraced Twyla Olson of Webster, a life long friend, as a part of her family.

Her father described Hillary's mark on the world best by referring to a Lucy Kaplansky album insert; "There is an ancient belief in China that when a child is born, invisible red threads reach from the child's spirit to all the important people who will be part of the child's life.  The threads may tangle but they will never break."  Hillary touched and left lasting impressions on everyone she met, and we will all be forever connected through her red threads.

www.coesterfuneralhome.net