Tami Ouren-Sims, 50

Tami Lynn Ouren-Sims, 50

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Tami Lynn Ouren-Sims, a loving daughter, mother, grandmother “gammie”, sister, and friend. On January 1, 2021, at 6:02 p.m., she entered the gates of heaven.

Tami was born on September 9, 1970 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to Karen and Ron Ouren. She was known for her beautiful smile, fun-loving attitude and giving heart. She loved life and was a very talented hairstylist. While living in Coeur d’Alene, she was well known in the community for working at LaPetite Beauty Salon alongside her mother Karen, aunt Kathy, and sister Tawnie. Tami spent most of her career working at

LaPetite, but also worked in other salons, where she gained wonderful friends and clients.

When Tami wasn’t working, or taking care of her daughters, she had a passion for volunteering and working within the community. Tami's favorite time of the year was Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving meant she could participate in the Festival of Trees and continue to show off her creative talent - many times they won! In addition, Tami also loved volunteering for a number of cancer programs, such as Look Good Feel Better, Relay for Life, and PanCan. Tami always made sure everyone felt heard, respected, and that they had someone to turn to in a time of need or support. Her motto in life was “kill everyone with kindness, and treat them the way you want to be treated”.

In July 1991, she fell in love and married Steve Sims, who, although divorced, had two beautiful daughters, Shealynn (30) and Shelby (26). For many years, Tami and Steve hosted multiple Co-ed and Men’s Softball tournaments, where she showed her natural athleticism. One of her youngest daughters' favorite memories was going to “help” at the concession stand, then coming home to lay on the patio and watch the stars until they all fell asleep outside.

In August 2019, Tami was hospitalized due to chronic pancreatitis, leading to many hospital visits. She fought long and hard, yet the pancreatitis led to multiple GI complications and in April of 2020, Tami was rushed from Bismarck, N.D. to the University of Minneapolis for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, the stent they placed caused a horrible infection that was not found until late October 2020 when Tami flew to Thousand Oaks, California to meet her granddaughter for the first time. Within two days of being in Thousand Oaks, she ended up at Los Robles Hospital, where she later was transferred to UCLA where she passed. Tami was a fighter and for two long months, she fought through multiple procedures, infections, confusion, and ventilation. While in the hospital at UCLA, Tami was placed on the UNOS transplant list for a Multivisceral transplant; however, on January 1, we had to make the decision to switch to comfort care as she had a severe yeast infection in her bloodstream. The medications were no longer fighting against the yeast infection, causing her to become sepsis, which resulted in her death.

Preceding her in death are her grandparents and aunt: Elmer and Charlotte Johnson, Harry and Doris Ouren, and Barb Hansen. Tami was taken from us too soon and leaves behind her parents, Karen and Ron Ouren; two daughters, Shealynn Glenn (Adrian) and Shelby Sims (Lance); grandchildren, Logan (3), Kendall (10 months) and Baby Boy in June 2021. She also leaves behind a sister, Tawnie Rouleau (Roger); brother, Tom Ouren (Taryn); aunts, Kathy Hlbichuk (Mike), and Sandy Hauf (Chuck); in addition to her special friend, Michael Burkhardt in North Dakota; her three nieces, nephew, and many cousins.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene. A reception will follow at the CaddyShack in Coeur d’Alene. Memorial contributions may be made in Tami’s name to Union Gospel Mission Center for Women and Children of Coeur d’Alene, 196 W. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815. Please visit Tami’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com