Ketil Berntsen

Ketil “Hammer” Berntsen, 58, of Kingsport, TN, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2020 due to a heart condition. “Hammer” was born in Oslo Norway on July, 14th, 1961. When “Hammer” turned 18 he entered into the Norwegian armed forces where he served in their army. While serving he also joined The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces and was stationed in Lebanon, where upon his return he finished the remainder of his career in the Norwegian Army. In 2000 he immigrated to the United States to be with his wife of 20 years Sharon Berntsen. In his spare time “Hammer” enjoyed fishing and hunting; participating in Civil War re-enactments as a member of the First Tennessee Battery, going to the gun range, and listening to music. He started working in 2004 as a Bounty Hunter, later becoming a Bail Bondsman; a career he loved for 16 years. “Hammer” loved playing with his beloved dogs “Forrest”, “Barney”, and “Molly”, and his two cats “Jasper”, and “Loki”. “Hammer” is preceded in death by his twin brother whom passed away at birth. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Osborne Berntsen; mother, Laila Berntsen; father, Sigmund Berntsen; sister, Carina Berntsen; brother, Christian Berntsen; nieces Elisabeth Sivertsen and Misty Bowers (Brandon); great nieces and nephews, Rilie and Brayden Bowers; sister in-laws, Patricia McGee (Sam) and Deborah Bowen (Johnny); several aunts, uncles, and cousins. A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be announced by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to offset funeral expenses, or to St. Judes in his name. Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the Berntsen family.