Tammy Beerntsen

Tammy Marie (Bras) Beerntsen was born November 10, 1961, at the Sanders County Hospital in Hot Springs, MT. She was the fifth child of Lando (Bud) and Dorothy Bras, joining two sisters and two brothers. She attended Hot Springs School and graduated in1980. Tammy’s dad gave her the nickname “Huntley Brinkley,” as she liked to be the first one to reveal the local news.

Following high school, Tammy went to Mr. Rich’s Barber School in Missoula, MT. After completing barber school, she worked cutting hair in Kalispell before returning home to the Hot Springs area. With the help of her parents, she established the Country Clipper in a room at Bras Supply in Lonepine.

In her younger years, Tammy was outgoing, social, and always ready to have a good time. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephews and creating fun memories with them, whether through sleepovers, skiing, swimming and camping at Flathead Lake, or other adventures. She even included all of her nieces and nephews in her wedding.

Tammy met Kurt Beerntsen of Wisconsin when he began working as a logger for her dad. They were married on July 4, 1992, and Tammy quickly became an enthusiastic Green Bay Packers fan. Together they had two children, daughter Nicole Ann and son Aaron Kurtis. Tammy was an animal lover and welcomed many beloved animals into her family. At one point she raised Flemish Giant rabbits and was especially fond of her dogs, adding several purebred dogs to the family over the years.

When her children were young, Tammy began driving a school bus and also became a substitute teacher for the Hot Springs School District. She developed a love for photography, taking many portraits of her children as well as beautiful photographs of the surrounding scenery. Tammy was a passionate mom who loved her kids dearly.

After several years of driving a school bus, Tammy and Kurt purchased the Gambles Store in Hot Springs and renamed it K&T Hardware. Soon Tammy’s health became a concern, and they eventually sold the store. For the last several years of her life, she received dialysis and was lovingly cared for by her husband. Tammy passed away at Logan Hospital in Kalispell, MT, on September 23, 2026, with family and friends at her side.

Tammy is survived by her husband, Kurt; daughter, Nicole; son, Aaron; sisters Cindy (Mike) Benson; Cheri (Jim) Lawson; brothers Buddy (Cathy) Bras; Chuck (Janet) Bras. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lando (Bud) and Dorothy Bras, and sister-in-law, Dawn Bras.

A celebration of life for Tammy and her parents, Bud and Dorothy Bras, will be held at the Lonepine Community Hall on October 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Please join the family for a luncheon following the service.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations to the Lonepine Community Hall, 8 Lonepine Road, Lonepine, MT 59848.  The family would like to thank the doctors and ICU nurses at Logan Hospital for their kindness and support. Also thanks to the Hot Springs ambulance crew for their quick response.