LeRette Funeral Chapel receives nationwide recognition

The LeRette Funeral Chapel recently received national recognition.
The LeRette Funeral Chapel was named the September 2026 Funeral Home of the Month by the Mark Thomas Company, a nationwide funeral home supplier located in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Mark Beito, president of Mark Thomas states, “It is our honor to select your funeral home as funeral home of the month. Your story of recovering from a disastrous fire and rebuilding your funeral home is an inspiration and one that we are delighted to share.  Also, we recognize Brian’s personal involvement in the funeral home, starting in 1981.”
Brian and Dawn LeRette spoke about the recognition, which neither were expecting.
“They reached out to us and asked us if we would mind if they recognized us. Then they did an interview with us and asked for our history. The president of the company, Mark Beito, did a write-up on us and communicated with us as part of the recognition. We’ve purchased a lot of supplies from them, especially over the last three years,” Dawn said. “When they do these recognitions, they select businesses who have a had a significant milestone, or they’ve done something grandiose.
The recognition comes three years after fire destroyed the former LeRette Funeral Chapel at its prior location at 410 6th St, and just shy of the one-year anniversary of when they moved in, on Sept. 17, 2025, before having an open house Sept. 29, 2025.
“That first week in our new facility, we had three or four funerals going on; we were busy. Some people waited for us to get into the new facility before they had their service,” commented LeRette. “We had to learn the routine of the new building. That was a challenge the first week when we had several services. It was the first time for everything. It was the first time using the sound system, as an example.“
Prior to opening the new 9,300 square foot facility, the LeRettes operated from temporary locations for two years, and had services and visitations in area churches, community halls and even the school bus barn. Brian and Dawn said it’s been a welcome relief to have opened their new forever home, with ample professional workspace, chapel and community areas, and parking.
The funeral home dates back to 1918 when Raymond and Gertrude Perryman started the business. Ted and Ann Nelson followed the Perrymans, and Mike and Eric Boylan succeeded them. Brian LeRette started working with the Boylans in 1981, when he was in junior high. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science, LeRette returned to Red Oak in 1990 and continued to work with the Boylans before he and his wife, Dawn, purchased the business in January 2001.
Having the new location in operation and now having been in the new chapel for a year to get used to the layout and amenities, Brian said, is an immense relief.
“We feel like we have a home again. We now have a place that’s ours, and a place where we can serve the communities,” stated Brian.
Both Dawn and Brian said the past three years have been a challenge including the immediate aftermath of the fire, multiple relocations, and the design of their new building, all while trying to keep their business operational. While it has been a long road, Brian said they learned the importance of patience.
While the fire certainly was a devastating blow, Dawn said the silver lining of the last three years was the relationships they formed or strengthened.
“We had so many people who came to help us the day of the fire, and throughout the whole journey. One of our friends was there the day of the fire helping us gather and clean things. She was even here washing windows on the day we moved in. A lot of people were that way,” Dawn said. 
The new facility pays homage to the 108-year history of the business. A friend who assisted with the demolition of the old building brought some of the crushed bricks from the old funeral chapel structure to mix into the foundation of LeRette’s new facility.
Currently, Brian said work is being completed on exterior projects. “We’re finishing up our sign. The sign has been installed and now we are working on the lighting, and landscaping. We are also putting rock in next to the wall,” commented Brian.
While both lament the loss of the prior building and the history it held, the feelings of loss have been tempered with what they’ve been able to rebuild.
“This is a wonderful facility. It’s wonderful for the community, and we have had many good comments that way. The addition of the community room is an asset. It’s just another service we can offer. We have used it quite a bit, and families enjoy using it.  After some services, families exit directly to the luncheon right in the same facility. The parking is so much better as well.” stated Brian.
Learn more about the LeRette Funeral Chapel at facebook.com/