Meet Our Caring Team

Originally from Valley City, ND, Kasie attended Valley City State University and the University of North Dakota, where she studied marketing and forensic pathology. She graduated from mortuary school in 2015 from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where she was Class President and President of the Student Senate. Kasie worked as a licensed funeral director in York County Pennsylvania for seven years and maintains her licensure in Pennsylvania. She is an Insight Institute Certified Funeral Celebrant, which means she is able to create and officiate uniquely personalized and meaningful services for families. In addition, Kasie is a Cremation Association of North America Certified Crematory Operator. Kasie is a member of the 2022-2023 NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program and plans to obtain her Iowa Funeral Director Licensure and Certified Funeral Service Practitioner certification.

Kasie enjoys traveling and trying new foods. She has visited nearly thirty different countries. Currently, Kasie is learning to play the piano and also aspires to run a marathon. 

Clair has a bachelor of science degree in funeral directing and embalming with a minor in grief, death, and dying from the University of Central Oklahoma and is licensed in both Oklahoma and Minnesota. She spent six years working for a nonprofit tissue donation organization, coordinating whole-body donations with funeral homes from eight states. 

Clair’s career in funeral service began in 2007, shortly after a good friend passed away. She was touched by how beautiful the service was and how it helped her cope with the loss. She also wanted to help others feel a sense of comfort during their time of need. She is especially passionate about personalizing services and being involved in the community.

Juan is originally from Canton, Ohio, but spent a portion of their childhood in California. They have an associate degree in science from Stark State College and a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Juan was the Class President for their cohort at CCMS and won the CCMS President’s Award for their role in student government. Juan is also an International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association Certified Crematory Operator, as well as an InSight Institute Certified Funeral Celebrant.

Juan is very excited to serve their internship with Bonnerup, get to know the community, and learn about Minnesota. Juan enjoys cooking, board games, hiking, canoeing, and spending time in nature.

Lori grew up in Freeborn County. Following graduation from New Richland-Hartland High School, she pursued a career in health care. Her career as a registered nurse has offered her numerous experiences from hospital nursing in specialty areas to extensive work in mental health to faith community nursing. Lori and her husband, Randy, returned to live on her family farm near Hartland, where they enjoy gardening flowers, entertaining family and friends, camping, and traveling.

Lori joined Bonnerup Funeral and Cremation Services in February of 2020 as an Aftercare Coordinator. She has genuine love and compassion for others and is always willing to offer a listening ear during your journey through the emotional transitions of grief and hope for the future. She can provide grief support and guidance toward appropriate community resources when needed.

Andrew Schwarz joined Bonnerup Funeral and Cremation Service as an Advance Funeral Planner in January of 2022. He grew up and graduated from Charles City, Iowa, and later moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he spent several years working in the mortgage industry. He completed his MBA at the University of Phoenix and taught classes as an adjunct college instructor for four years. In June of 2012, he moved to Albert Lea and has lived and worked there since.

Andrew and his wife, Corissa, were married in October of 2018. Together, they have four adult children. One of Andrew’s favorite pastimes is searching for antiques at various estate sales and auctions. He is an avid collector of several types of antiques, including a large collection of old books, cameras, tobacco tins, and antique commercial trade cards. He also enjoys spending time on walks and bike rides with his wife along the many beautiful nature trails and lakes in Albert Lea. You’ll often find him fishing on Fountain Lake and gardening in his spare time.

Tammy is originally from Geneva, MN. She spent over 35 years working in customer service and chose this position with Bonnerup because she loves helping and supporting others. She enjoys meeting families and hearing stories about their loved ones.

Tammy and her husband, Jeff, have three sons and one daughter. They also have seven grandchildren: Hattie, Scarlett, Baylor, Karsyn,  Beckett, Banks, and Delilah. In her spare time, Tammy enjoys taking vacations up North, fishing, having game nights, playing cards, going on long walks, and spending time with their kids.

Larry grew up in a unique and meaningful environment—his family’s home in a small southwestern Minnesota town was also the local funeral home, where his father served as the funeral director. While Larry chose a different path and pursued a career in education, that early connection to funeral service always stayed with him.

After retiring from a fulfilling 35-year teaching career in 2008, Larry decided to revisit that lifelong "what if" and reached out to Bonnerup Funeral Service. Since then, he’s been a valued part of the team, serving families with compassion and care as a funeral assistant for the past 16 years.

Larry brings both heart and experience to his work, helping support families during some of life’s most tender moments.

Barb is a Lyle, MN native who married her high school sweetheart, Derby, in 1971. Together, they moved to Albert Lea, where they raised their three children and built a life rooted in family and community. Over the past 50 years, Barb has worked in various roles serving the public.

After retiring in 2021, Barb was thrilled to fulfill a longtime dream of working at Bonnerup’s—a place she had always wanted to work.

Outside of work, Barb finds joy in the great outdoors. She loves hiking, whether she's exploring the mountains of Colorado or wandering through Minnesota's beautiful state parks. She and Derby also enjoy traveling, but nothing compares to the happiness she finds in spending time with their eight wonderful grandchildren.

Angie is a lifelong Albert Lea resident and graduate of Albert Lea High School. She’s been married to her husband, Bryan, since 1976, and together they’ve built a life filled with family—including three children and nine beloved grandchildren.

After more than 40 years of caring for others as a nurse, Angie retired from the nursing profession, but her heart for service never stopped. She brings that same compassion and dedication to her role on our funeral support team.

For Angie, every day is a new experience, and she feels honored to be part of a group that supports families with kindness and care during meaningful moments in their lives.