Tammy Watson

Tammy Kay Watson was born on September 17, 1974, to Albert and Myrna (Sandbulte) Hoogland in Luverne, Minnesota. While growing up on the family farm, Tammy attended the Jasper School in Jasper, Minnesota, until the 8th grade. She then attended and graduated from Garretson High School in Garretson, South Dakota, in 1993. During her middle and high school years, Tammy participated in cross country and track, both sports that she holds records in. The foundation of her faith was built during her childhood years, as she and her family attended church every Sunday, sometimes twice a day.

In her early adult years, life brought Tammy to many different homes throughout the Midwest. Each home taught Tammy lessons that she carried throughout her life. On September 8, 2007, Tammy was united in marriage to the love of her life and her rock, William (Bill) Watson, at the Split Rock Park in Garretson. Together the couple moved from Garretson to Paola, Kansas – a move that was a pivotal moment in Tammy’s life. Her time in Paola was the biggest leap in her faith, a leap that changed her life in ways she never imagined. In 2021, Tammy and Bill settled down and set their roots in Mitchell, South Dakota where Tammy continued her dream of training horses, boarding them for others and giving riding lessons. Tammy was a member of Northridge Baptist Church in Mitchell. She regularly attended a bible study group, The Power of Blessings, weekly on Facebook messenger.

Tammy always saw the best in people and in horses. She had a gift of being able to speak and communicate with her horses without using words. Tammy’s gentle disposition, spunky personality and her feistiness were cornerstones in her relationships with her family, friends, the rodeo community and her horses. Her strength throughout the hardships during her life was a true testament of her faith. Her faith was always unwavering in her God – her Savior and her personal friend. Tammy passed away unexpectedly from a very rare infection on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 50 years, 10 months and 23 days.

Tammy is lovingly remembered by her husband and the love of her life, Bill Watson of Mitchell, South Dakota; her children, Samantha (Dylan) Rouzer of Jasper, Minnesota, Tanasha Watson of Ralston, Nebraska, Cheyene Helm of Valley Springs, South Dakota and Kolby Watson of Vermillion, South Dakota; her beloved grandchildren, Emmett, Rylan and Leo Rouzer, and Brexlee Larson; her mother, Myrna Hoogland of Luverne, Minnesota; siblings, Terry (Nancy) Hoogland of Luverne, Jason (Paula) Hoogland of Berthoud, Colorado, Randy (Lisa) Hoogland of Garretson, South Dakota; her faithful dog, Skye; and her horses, Dezi, Chicky and Rosi. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Hoogland and her mother-in-law, Betty Grause.

Tammy was featured on Fearlessly Unshackled - Faith Conversations with Sarah Rose, a beautiful podcast about her walk in faith with God. 

Please click the links to watch/listen to the podcast.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9dy9WRLxLQw

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cNF0o37v2PQmEuWDnYLz0