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 is originally from Amarillo, Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree in funeral directing and embalming with a minor in grief, death, and dying from the University of Central Oklahoma. She also has a radio broadcasting certificate from the American Broadcasting School. Clair is licensed in both Oklahoma and Minnesota. She spent six years working at United Tissue Network in Donor Services, coordinating whole body donations with funeral homes from eight states.

Clair’s career in funeral service began at the age of 17, shortly after a good friend of hers passed away. Clair was touched by how beautiful the service was and how it helped her cope with the loss. She wanted to help others feel a sense of comfort in their greatest time of need as well. She is especially passionate about personalizing services and being involved in the community.

As a big Star Wars fan, Clair is a member of the 501st and Rebel Legions of Film Costuming organizations that raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation and other non-profits. Clair and her partner, Cody, have two cats, Golem and PT.

Stephanie comes from Rapid City, SD where she grew up and attended school.  After high school, she attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for general requirements and then matriculated to Worsham College of Mortuary Science near Chicago.  After graduating with her mortuary science degree in 2007, she went on to apprentice in Rapid City, SD.

Stephanie moved to Laramie, WY in 2009 and became licensed in the state of Wyoming in 2010.  In 2012, she made the tough decision to leave to care for her mother, a disabled Gulf War veteran.  Although she reciprocated her license over to South Dakota, it would be eight years before she would work in funeral service again.

During her time off from funeral service, Stephanie worked a variety of jobs while caregiving.  In 2015, she decided to go back to school and graduated in 2018 with a B.S. in Exercise Science from Black Hills State University.  After which, she became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and continues to hold this certification. 

Stephanie has a passion for working with families during their time of grief and is excited to be working in the field she loves.  She hopes to be an asset to the community of Albert Lea.

Lori was raised on a small farm near Hartland, she attended school in New Richland and following high school graduation pursued a dream in health care.  She started her nursing career as a practical nurse in Rochester, then returned for an A.S. degree from Normandale College in Bloomington.  She worked at the University of MN hospital and after meeting her husband she returned to the area and worked for the medical center in Albert Lea.   Mental health services have been her main focus over the past 15 years working on a case management team.  Lori currently works with Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea as their Faith Community Nurse calling on those experiencing grief and loss.  Visiting the home-bound and offering support to those dealing with medical concerns, surgery and long-term placements at nursing facilities.  She facilitates grief support groups and offers support to those that are experiencing loss through death, job loss, divorce or loss of health making referrals for available community resources when available.

Lori and her husband have returned to live on her family farm near Hartland where they enjoy gardening, flowers, entertaining family and friends and camping.

Lori joined Bonnerup Funeral Service in February of 2020 to share the position as grief care coordinator with Judy Popp-Anderson.  Lori has a real love and compassion for others and would like to assist individuals and families as they journey through their grief and transition with hope for their future.

Judy Popp-Anderson joined the staff at Bonnerup Funeral Services in May, 2013 as an aftercare coordinator.

She graduated from Marquette University with a BA in Education, Mathematics and Theology. She later received her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Moorhead State University. For the past 40-plus years, she has worked in various aspects of Behavioral Health Care. She is licensed as a clinical social worker and as an alcohol and drug counselor.

Judy is an active member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church serving on the Parish Council, is a Eucharistic minister and hospital visitor. She is a co-facilitator for the Cancer Support Group, participates in the Relay for Life as a cancer survivor, and is a volunteer for Mayo Health Systems Hospice Program.

In her free time, she enjoys walking and visiting with family and friends. Judy personally experienced the compassion of the Bonnerup staff at the time of her husband’s death, and she looks forward to being available to family members as they cope with the grieving process.

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 five grandchildren: Hattie, Scarlett, Baylor, Karsyn, and Beckett. 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.