Ronelle Funk Featured on Popular “Treehouse Masters” TV Show

0 Shares

 

By Barb Lally

treehouse masters
Local Allstate Insurance agent, Ronelle Funk poses with Animal Planet’s Treehouse Master Pete Nelson on the day of filming.

Ronelle Funk, president of Ronelle Funk Insurance, is somewhat of a national celebrity.

Distant relatives in Minnesota recently called her to tell her they had seen her on television. Her Facebook friends have left comments that they saw her also and people on the street or in a local store often stop Ronelle because they recognize her.

If you are a fan of Treehouse Masters, a program on the Animal Planet and Discovery Channels, you might also have seen Ronelle.

After being voted #1 in customer service in a five-state region by Allstate Insurance,

Ronelle was selected to contribute her expertise in one-minute spots during several episodes of the popular show.

She worked directly with renowned designer, builder and star of Treehouse Masters, Pete Nelson who designs treehouses ranging from multi-bedroom homes with elaborate kitchens and bathrooms, to simpler, one-room hideaways. His team has also built unique and almost fantasy-like sanctuaries in the trees that include a spa retreat, a brewery, a honeymoon suite and an Irish-themed cottage.

A local celebrity

Ronelle’s appearances on the show can still be seen in television re-runs or streaming on-demand.

“I have people stop me and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I have seen you on Treehouse Masters!’” Ronelle relates with excitement. “It is a really popular show and it has been a great experience.”

treehouse masters
Television monitors show the action while Ronelle Funk is on location at Treehouse Point. This is the space where they filmed the one-minute spots on a cold day in February.

That experience included filming the short spots at TreeHouse Point, a bed and breakfast in Fall City, owned by Nelson and his wife Judy.

“We filmed at Treehouse Point for an entire day and had a great time,” says Ronelle. “It was in February on Valentine’s Day and it was extremely cold. We couldn’t bundle up while on camera, so between takes, they would bring us coffee or hot chocolate.”

But it wasn’t only hot drinks that made the day warm and enjoyable.

“Pete was hilarious,” Ronelle continues. “He is such a character and helped us relax. He is clearly a down-to-earth guy. When I asked him if he was excited about getting picked up for the next season, his response was ‘Not really, I just want to build treehouses. I am just doing this so I can keep building treehouses.’ While we were there, he and his wife made a Valentine’s Day dinner for the whole crew at their lodge.”

Clips of tips to protect your home

treehouse masters
Ronelle Funk was chosen by Allstate Insurance to be featured on Treehouse Masters because of her agency’s superior record of customer service.

Ronelle’s role as an experienced Allstate Insurance agent in each short scene they filmed was to provide tips for homeowners on how to protect their homes from damage, especially here in the Northwest.

“The first clip we filmed was about the importance of trimming trees around the property, removing branches that might be hanging over structures, houses, cars or garages,” relates Ronelle. “When we had that big ice storm in 2012 branches came off trees like daggers and were slicing into people’s homes and garages like knives. It was very scary. We also discussed cleaning up debris to prevent fire hazards and making sure that there are no exposed roots on walkways where people could trip.”

In the second clip, Pete and Ronelle are up on ladders discussing how to protect the roof of the main lodge at Treehouse Point.

“Pete’s roof was so dirty covered with tree limbs and moss that the producers had to climb on the roof and clean it before we filmed the shot,” Ronelle says. “He made several jokes about his roof and then we got serious and talked about keeping moss off the roof and that people should not pressure wash their roof because it destroys the shingles. They can use zinc strips or detergent to kill the moss or just scrape it off. It is also important to keep the gutters clean. We have big problems with them here with all the leaves and the rain.”

treehouse masters
Ronelle Funk and Pete Nelson discuss tips to protect the roof of his lodge.

In the final clip, Ronelle answered Pete’s question about protecting windows. She encouraged him to remove debris that could fly up in a wind storm and harm the windows. She also recommended impact-rated windows that prevent shattering from baseballs or burglars.

Was it worth it? Definitely, says Ronelle. Despite the cold and only wearing a windbreaker while filming, Ronelle says she had fun throughout the day.

“I still have people stopping me in the grocery store to say they saw me on Treehouse Masters and customers come into the office saying they saw me. It has solidified for them that I am someone they can trust. They are so proud that I am their agent. It also made my dad, Bill Funk, who had been an Allstate agent for 26 years, very proud.”

Ronelle’s agency was voted number one in customer service in a five-state region by Allstate customers. Locally, she was voted the Best Insurance Agency in the Nisqually Valley in 2010 and the 2014 Business of the Year by the Yelm Chamber of Commerce.

Read more about Ronelle Funk Insurance or call (360) 491-3376 for the Lacey office and (360) 458-6061 for her office in Yelm.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares