Ownership of Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home changes hands after decades of service: Jay Klusmann retires after 30 years, welcomes the Jarman family as new owners July 1

After two Klusmann owners and decades of service, the Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home will officially become the Jarman Funeral Home July 1.

For 30 years, Funeral Director, Jay Klusmann has been helping the residents of Lennox in their darkest hours. 

“I took this job to help people through the very difficult times in their lives, and while it is a stressful job, it’s the most rewarding when I get to be there to help this wonderful community through their first moments of the grief process,” said Klusmann.

Klusmann, 62, got his start working with his father, Joel, who he admired greatly. 

“My dad was a people person, and he gave me those skills. He brought us to Lennox after the war and I was lucky enough to get to work with him for 20 years until he passed in 2015 and I took on the home myself,” he said.

Klusmann has been helping all those who have lost a loved one while quietly considering his future. 

“There have been a number of people through the years who have been interested in purchasing my funeral home, I think you see that  everywhere, but I wasn’t just going to sell to anyone. I wanted to find someone who was going to run things as they have always been ran but also take this funeral home to the next level and serve the community in the ways we always have and beyond,” Klusmann said.

Last year, Klusmann met a family that ticked every box that he was looking for in a new funeral home owner. 

“The Jarman family walked into our lives and suddenly I didn’t think I was going to retire at 65 anymore, I knew that they were special, and that they have what it takes to run this funeral home to the best of its ability,” he said.

Returning from Fort Collins, Colorado, Brett and Rachel Jarman are a self-described simple family who enjoy spending time together and with their five-year-old son, Bradley. 

“We listen to a lot of music and collect vinyl to play on our vintage turntable, and once in a while we get to travel to enjoy live music. We love to cook and try new foods together either at home or exploring restaurants,” Rachel said. 

Brett, originally from Canton, moved back in 2020, to settle down before Rachel was able to join him in 2023. 

“Since moving back to Canton, Brett has been working at Dakota Embalming, a company in Sioux Falls. Their service provides transport, embalming, and cremation for funeral homes. Rachel worked for a brief time at a larger funeral home in Sioux Falls and since has helped provide relief work for others in the area,” she said. 

The Jarman’s met in Fort Collins where they both worked at a local family-owned funeral home, but both Brett and Rachel had very different stories on how they arrived. 

“I knew what I was going to be since I was 10. I was the only 10-year-old kid going around telling people they were going to be an undertaker. For me, it was just something I was drawn to and curious about. I had a willingness to want to help. When I was 8 years old, I went to a funeral for a family friend, and I found myself watching the funeral director. I sensed the seriousness of everything he was doing to care for the family going through something I probably couldn’t really grasp at the time. That spark of interest continued and eventually I saw it through to mortuary school and then was lucky enough to find a funeral home that saw things the way I did,” Brett said.

Rachel wanted a life of service work, but until she was in college, didn’t know what that line of service work would be. 

“My journey to funeral service is somewhat different than Brett’s. When I was a teen, I decided I wanted some type of work that involved caring for others. Still, I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be in the death care industry. It happened that when I needed an internship for my bachelor’s degree, the only one in town was with the local hospice organization. It was there that I found my life’s work in caring for people who were dying and their families,” she said. 

Rachel worked in hospice for many years before transitioning into funeral services in 2017 and forever changing her future. 

“I met Brett when I transitioned into funeral services and fell in love because he has such a soft heart and was always focused on what was best for families, doing everything he could to make things right for them. He and I grew together in those early years of service, which has set our foundation for ownership now,” Rachel said.

Approaching the Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home almost felt like fate to the couple. 

“We have always felt that the history of Dindot-Klusmann and the family aspect were appealing. We also love the fact that there is an attached home and hope to utilize the home to add to our services,” she said.

The couple will officially take over and the business name will change July 1. 

“Our mindset for our funeral home is all about family, so we decided to on Jarman Family Funeral Home for the name as everyone who enters our doors will be part of the Jarman family,” Rachel said.

The couple plans to take Klunsmann’s advice and add their own touches to the funeral home. 

“We have things planned out in phases to enhance how we will provide services. The first is a face lift for the chapel, we’ll start this right away and will keep the community updated on our progress. Rest assured, we will be able to provide any and all services during construction, we’ll just be utilizing other facilities in the area for visitations and funerals. Phase II will be adding an accessible bathroom to the funeral home and getting the house up and running,” Brett said.

Working together for their clients was top priority for the Klusmann’s. 

“The Jarman’s have been just wonderful to work with. Anyone who has already made prearrangements with us will have everything transferred right over, the process will be seamless and ready to go as we both put our clients first, and want to make arrangements as easy as possible for the families,” Klusmann said.

Already integrated into the community, the Jarman’s look forward to raising their son in the Lennox area. 

“We are always out and about at local antique shops and in thrift stores when we have an afternoon free. Bradley loves swimming and playing at the park, so you’ll definitely see us there in the summer,” Rachel said.

Together the group is planning a joint retirement and welcoming party for all members of the community to come together and wish everyone well on June 23 at the Prosper Events Center from 5 to 7 p.m. 

“I couldn’t think of a better way to enjoy my send off into retirement than everyone meeting the people I hand-picked to run this funeral home next, and I wish them all the best,” Klusmann said.