History

The Kok tradition of funeral service began with Ken Kok, a Minnesota Licensed Funeral Director. The first location, The Bodelson-Kok Funeral Home, was located on Third Street in Saint Paul Park. In 1965, Mr. built the current Funeral Home located at 1201 Portland Avenue in Saint Paul Park.

After serving families in the area for nearly fifteen years, Ken sold the funeral home to Tom Vertin, a third generation funeral director who operates funeral homes from his hometown of Breckenridge, Minnesota. Under both owners, the funeral home has serviced the entire Newport, Cottage Grove and Saint Paul Park area.

In 1993, with the growing population seen in and around the Twin Cities, a new facility was constructed in the community of Cottage Grove, in order to better meet current and future community needs as well as operational needs of the funeral home. An open house was held at the new Kok Funeral Home facility in Cottage Grove on Sunday, October 10, 1993. 

The new facility in Cottage Grove is completely handicapped-accessible and reflects the style and presentation preferences of today’s families who call on Kok Funeral Homes. The facility was built with a comfortable foyer, beautiful fireplace, cozy chapel, a spacious arrangement area, as well as a lounge or second family room. 

In 2002, the Saint Paul Park location was updated and redecorated to also reflect the current needs of area families. Today the staff continues the tradition of service, being honored to serve area families out of both locations in Saint Paul Park and Cottage Grove. 

At Kok Funeral Homes, we are honored to have earned the trust and confidence placed in us by those that we serve. We pledge to continue our century long commitment to families and members of our communities, far into the future.

At Kok Funeral Homes, we are honored to have earned the trust and confidence placed in us by those that we serve. We pledge to offer respectful and dignified professional service, service that a family should expect, service that a family deserves. From the time the first phone call is received, throughout the service and beyond, each staff member at our funeral home contributes in an important way. We are very proud of our staff at Kok Funeral Homes, and hope that you will take the time to learn more about them and their families.