Staff
Our staff has over 90+ years of cumulative experience, providing funeral service to the Freeborn, Steele and Waseca County areas. We are always available and we are dedicated to providing compassionate service to each and every family in need. We appreciate the trust and confidence placed in us by those we serve. We have built our reputation on trust, and we pledge to offer respectful and dignified professional service, service that everyone should expect, service that everyone deserves.
Steven Merfeld
 Licensed Funeral Director / Manager
Steven graduated from North Iowa Area Community College in 1980 and the University of Minnesota in 1982 with a BS Degree in Mortuary Science. Steve has been employed with Bonnerup Funeral Service since December of 1989. He is licensed in both Iowa and Minnesota.
Steven and his wife Cynthia have two daughters; Nicole soon to be married and living in Maple Grove, Minnesota; and Danielle, who attends Loyola University in Chicago.
Steven is an active member of St Theodore Catholic Church and Sexton of St Theodore Catholic Cemetery. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Albert Lea Family YMCA and 2009 Campaign Chair for the Freeborn County United Way.
Free time will find him running, organizing the local triathlon or trying to finish his 1945 Chevrolet pickup.
Larry Wulff
 Licensed Funeral Director
Larry graduated from the University of Minnesota in June of 1969, and has been employed with Bonnerup Funeral Service for 34 years.
Larry is a lifetime resident of Albert Lea. He is an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church, where he serves on the Church Council. Larry is also a member of the Elks, the Osman Shrine Club, Western Star Lodge AF&AM, and all of the affiliated Masonic Bodies.
He is married to Elaine and they have three children.
Paula S. Wilson
 Licensed Funeral Director
Paula graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1982, where she earned a degree in Mortuary Science. She began working as a Funeral Director with Bonnerup Funeral Service in September of 1982. Paula holds a license in both Iowa and Minnesota.
Paula is a member of the United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. She serves on the Advisory Committee for the Grief Support Group and is active in Beta Sigma Phi.
Paula and her husband Greg reside in Albert Lea with their two children, Josh and Whitney.
Karla Tukua
 Pre-Arrangement Specialist
Since joining the staff at Bonnerup Funeral Service in 2005, Karla Tukua has become a familiar face at the funeral home. In February of 2005, Karla completed training to serve as the funeral homes Pre-Arrangement Specialist. Shortly after, she began assisting families in Albert Lea, Ellendale, New Richland, and the surrounding areas.
Karla was born and raised on a farm between Frost and Bricelyn, Minnesota, the daughter of Elwood and May Monson. She graduated from Frost High School and then pursued an Associate of Arts Degree in child Development at the University of Minnesota-Waseca, Minnesota.
In 1977, Karla moved to Albert Lea and began working at the Albert Lea Community Child Care Center. She later met and married her husband Gene Tukua, who is employed with the City of Hartland, where he handles the maintenance and utilities. They have two adult children, Naomi and Seth.
Karla has worked in the area in many different capacities, but now has found her niche serving families at Bonnerup Funeral Service. "People serving people" is her deepest desire and she is always available to help, whatever the need.
While not serving families at the funeral home, Karla works with members of the community at the Albert Lea Medical Center or she is busy meeting the needs of her family or the needs of the Ascension Lutheran Church. At Vista Covenant Church, she has served as chairperson of the Christian Education Board, Superintendent of Sunday School, coordinator of Vacation Bible School and has taught many years of Sunday School.
Baseball is Karla's summer passion, as she spends countless hours watching her son coach as well as play the game.
People are number one in Karla's life, and she is always willing to visit with families. Please call the funeral home to set up an appointment to visit with Karla about the benefits of pre-planning.
Connie VanRyswyk
 Office Manager
Connie Van Ryswyk serves as the Office Manager and has been with Bonnerup Funeral Service for the past 20 years. She enjoys meeting and helping families, and provides support and assistance to the funeral directors and staff in many ways.
Connie graduated from Albert Lea High School and later in life graduated from Riverland Community College with a degree in Supervisory Management. She is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea, serving as a Stephen Minister, sings in the church choir, and serves on the Worship Committee. She is also on the Advisory Board for Riverland Community College, is a member of Kiwanis Club and serves on the Small Business Committee for the United Way of Freeborn Co.
Connie and her husband, Larry, farm near Albert Lea and enjoy watching all seven of their grandchildren’s sporting events.
Kim Stiernagle
 Aftercare Specialist
Kim is excited to be serving her community in a new way. As an Aftercare Specialist, her caring and compassionate personality will help to serve the needs of the families at Bonnerup Funeral Service. She has a strong desire to help families through a very difficult time in their lives. Kim always has a listening ear, a caring heart, and will be a trusted companion as you journey through your grief process.
Kim moved to Albert Lea on her 1st birthday and was baptized, confirmed, and married at the Albert Lea United Methodist Church. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 20+ years. They have two sons.
Kim has worked in many different capacities in the Albert Lea community. As a licensed daycare provider, she was able to be at home to raise her son while providing a loving, caring home to other children as well. She also worked for the Albert Lea Medical Center as a Certified Nursing Assistant on the Med/ Surg. floor, the Rehabilitation Area and Kidney Dialysis Unit. As an office manager at a local printing company, customer service was her specialty. For the past few years, she has been self-employed.
In her spare time, Kim loves to be with family and friends. She keeps active with many church obligations, serving as a Sunday school teacher and on several committees. She taught Project Charlie when her oldest son was in school and is a member of S.H.A.R.E., a parent group at Sibley school.
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