Julie Tinnell was born in Deadwood, SD, on October 21, 1961, to Myron and Janet Stearns. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Episcopal Church in Deadwood and graduated from Lead Senior High in 1979.

When she and Randy Tinnell, her high school sweetheart, were married on August 4, 1986, in Deadwood, SD, they merged into one family that included their three young children, Jennie, John, and Jana. After first living in Central City where she was a miner's wife, they moved to Whitewood, SD, where they started a trucking business. Necessity called and Julie became a bookkeeper, and continued to do the bookkeeping for all of their business ventures. Later, Randy and Julie started production logging. Julie learned to run a chain saw, and became skillful at falling and limbing trees. In 1999, Randy and Julie started an aluminum ramp building business in Whitewood, which eventually became Landsport, now located in the Sturgis Industrial Park. In 2005, they built a new home outside of St. Onge, where Julie put on another hat, ranching. She looked forward to seeing the calves born in the spring, but dreaded parting with them in the fall.

During the Whitewood years Julie was a Girl Scouts leader and a soccer coach. She became very attached to the community and made a great effort to contribute to it.

Her additional passions were gardening and music. She had a green thumb and could make anything grow. Julie was also a gifted singer. She and Randy enjoyed being part of the Classic Country band. Besides gardening and music, she also liked playing games, and could tell a great story. She would often entertain others with her unfiltered way of breaking down barriers and getting people to laugh.
Besides being a partner in their business ventures, family life was always a priority. She was there for her children, grandchildren, and parents. When her parents needed additional care, Julie was there to help them. Her caring ways were instilled in their children. All three of them grew up to be compassionate adults and came to her aid when she needed them the most, especially after she was diagnosed with lung cancer in August of 2019. They made it possible for her to remain at home until her death.

Julie Tinnell, age 58, died peacefully surrounded by her family on March 9, 2020, at her home in rural St. Onge, SD.

She is survived by her husband, Randy; children, Jennie (Truett) Carmichael, John (Nisi) Tinnell, and Jana Tinnell; grandchildren, Jack Tinnell and Bridger Nelson; father, Myron H. Stearns; siblings, Ronald Stearns (Jolene Ring) of Spearfish, and Heather (Cornelius) Beukhof of Montevideo, MN.

Preceding her in death are her mother, Janet, and sister, Marie.

A memorial fund has been established at First National Bank, 955 Main Street, Sturgis, SD 57785. Flowers may be sent to Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Memorial services will be 11:30 am on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Hale Hall in Whitewood, SD.

Click on link to view service folder