Tamitha Lynn Thein

Tamitha Lynn Thein

Tamitha Lynn Thein passed away on Wednesday, April 22, after one of her favorite bike rides—something that truly reflected her love for adventure and the open road.

Tami was born on February 13, 1979 to Doug Koehnke and Connie Lewis in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From the very beginning, she lived life to the fullest. She was adventurous, strong, and fiercely protective of the people she loved. More than anything, she was proud to be a wife and a mom. Some of her happiest moments were spent riding through beautiful hillsides on her motorcycle with her husband in the summertime, feeling free and alive.

Tami was the kind of person you could always count on. She was a loyal friend, a devoted sister, and someone who showed up when it mattered most. She shared a special bond with her brothers—Jay and Shane—always looking out for them and standing by their side no matter what.

She met her husband, Mike Thein, when she was 20 years old as coworkers, and from there they built a life together centered around love and family. Their sons, Chase and Jared, were her world. Tami poured everything into being their mom—cheering them on at every game, joining taekwondo with Jared just to be part of his world, and making sure Chase could always spot her in the crowd with signs she proudly held up at his football and wrestling matches.

Early in her life, Tami was diagnosed with stage II ovarian cancer. With unwavering determination, she chose to fight—for her sons, her husband, and all those she loved. When she rang the bell marking her victory over cancer, she embraced life with renewed purpose, truly living by the words “live like you are dying.” During her 13 years cancer-free, Tami made the most of every moment. She traveled extensively with her boys, exploring destinations from Mexico to the Caribbean, and even embarking on a memorable “buses, trains, planes, and automobiles” journey through the United States.

Tami’s love extended far beyond her boys, reaching across the country to her family in Arizona, her Board of Cosmetology family, cousins, and many dear friends. With each passing year, she grew more grateful for the community she lovingly called her tribe. As her sons grew, so did her capacity to love. She was overjoyed to welcome Rebecca Thein (Baker) and Jaiden Hott into her life as daughters. With a bright smile, she would often say, “I finally have girls to do girl stuff with,” and she deeply cherished those bonds. She even began a special tradition of girls’ trips and intentional get aways.

Family was everything to Tami. She loved bringing everyone together—whether it was sharing charcuterie boards, playing board games, watching movies, going to State Fairs from around the country, or gathering every Christmas Eve to play Monopoly. That tradition was one of her favorites. She always claimed her role as the flag bearer for the Minnesota Wild edition. Those moments—full of laughter, competition, and love—meant the world to her.

Tami leaves behind a space that cannot be filled, but also a lifetime of memories that will never fade. The love she gave, the strength she showed, and the joy she brought into people’s lives will always be carried forward by those who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held on May 30th from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Jimmy's Event Center in Vadnais Heights.

Her final resting place will be at the fountain cremation wall located in Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

May 30, 2026

Vadnais Event Center 3565 Labore Rd, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110, USA

Please join us for a celebration of life, which will be held on May 30th from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Jimmy's Event Center in Vadnais Heights, followed by an unofficial drive to Roselawn Cemetery in Roseville.