Tamira Bearnson

“This is the end of the trail” is what Tamira Bearnson would like to tell all her friends and family. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah. June 7, 1957, to Nancy Ann Douglas and Marion Kjar Bearnson. To everyone who knew her, she was the toughest woman they will ever know. A true Viking, horsewoman, outdoorswoman, survivalist, sister, aunt, mom, grandma and friend. She taught and shared a powerful connection to her Icelandic/ Norse ancestry as well as the land

where she pitched her teepee. “Tammy” loved her roots, the State of Utah, the neighborhood she grew up in and the diversity of people that made it so great. Many children experienced their first time horseback riding, fishing, cooking over a campfire, living like our ancestors and sleeping under the stars as she shared her knowledge of the environment she loved. She turned city kids into mountain men. The stories friends will share and the impact she made on Earth is legendary. A 1975 Graduate of West High, she used her hands for science as she helped construct the prototype hearts for Artificial Organs that were later used by Dr. Jarvik in the first human artificial heart transplant. With a thirst for hydro-engineering and construction trades, she was proudly recognized on ABC’s “Good Morning America” as one of the nation’s first female journeyman plumbers. She always said, “The best man for a job was a woman.” Her kids, always being her apprentices, said “We could fix a toilet before we knew how to use it.” In 1985 she was married to Jay Kartchner. Tammy passed away peacefully at St Mark’s on March 12th, 2023 at the hospital where she was born. Her generosity and livelihood will be missed by her friends and family. Surviving siblings are Timothy, Sandra, and Mark “Dan” Bearnson. Children Nico, Kayla and Adam “AJ”. Grandchildren Austin, Asia, Adam, Cash, Aleah, Kimber, Gracie, Sage, Hope, Anders and Coleman. Celebration of her life and dispersal of her ashes will begin taking place at Bud and Sandy Kartcher’s at the Gateway to the Uintas, over the July 24th Pioneer Holiday.