Tamra Susann Amundsen

Tamra Susann Amundsen (née Sorenson) passed away August 11, 2026 in Mesa, AZ after a valiant fight against cancer at the age of 66. She was born on August 4, 1960, in Spokane, WA to Richard Charles Sorenson and Bertha Louise Hartung Sorenson.

Faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of Tamra’s life. She grew up in the Chula Vista First Ward, and treasured countless memories of seminary, girls camp, service projects, and friendships. She graduated from Hilltop High School in 1979. She attended Brigham Young University, where she felt prompted to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was called to the Colorado Denver Mission from 1982–1984. As the oldest child, she became the first of all eleven Sorenson children to serve a mission, and eventually each of her children followed as well. Shortly after returning home, she met Marvin Windsor Amundsen at a church dance. They danced most of the night, became engaged four weeks later, and were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on April 26, 1984. Windsor was forty minutes late to the ceremony because of traffic, an irony Tamra loved to remind him about because, as she would say, “Dad had to wait on me for at least the next forty years.”

Tamra’s life included profound trials. Her son Richard survived childhood liver cancer. Her daughter, Tami, later battled leukemia through years of chemotherapy, hospitalizations, relapses, remissions, and bone marrow transplants before passing away in 2000. Even during those heartbreaking years, Tamra shared her testimony and brought hope to others. Tamra continued to care for her family, attending countless athletic events, concerts, and activities. She was a truly devoted mother.

Tamra’s greatest legacy was her love for people. She was funny, outgoing, generous, and genuinely interested in everyone she met. She served faithfully as a Relief Society president, Young Women’s president, Primary president, and temple worker often ministering with a warm loaf of bread and an even warmer heart. Tami was well known for her cooking and baking, with grandchildren often asking for monster pancakes or her famous melt-in-your-mouth rolls. Even after enduring extensive treatments and surgeries for her cancer, she continued to serve. Tamra’s life was defined by faith, family, service, perseverance, and hope.

She is survived by her husband, Windsor Amundsen, her children Dave (Shelli), Tim (Annie), Richard (Krystal), Aaron (Janelle), Ben (Marci), Andrew and Kathryn (Isaac), along with twenty-three grandchildren. She also leaves behind her parents, siblings, and countless friends who were blessed by her kindness. She is predeceased by her daughter Tami, who shares her full name, as well as her brother Dan.

She loved the Savior and spent her life helping others feel His love. Her family finds comfort in the gospel she cherished: that through Jesus Christ, death is not the end, families can be together forever, and hope is real.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10036 East Brown Road, Mesa, AZ 85207, with a viewing beforehand from 8:30-9:30 am. Following the service, interment will take place at the Mesa City Cemetery.