Meet Our Staff
J. Kou is the Founder, Owner, and President of Legacy Funeral Homes. He always had a passion for helping people through some of the most difficult time in their life, either that may be financially, physically, or emotionally. He does this through being “customer-focused”, listening to their needs, concerns, and wishes and coming up with a solution that best fits their situation.
Before taking on the ownership of Legacy Funeral Home, he was a small business lender with NDC and later moved on to being a Commercial Banker. He also own of a wholesaler of Asian produce and products, grocery store, as well as a real estate company.
He never shied away from any opportunity to listen, learn, and assist people with their issues, especially, when it comes to the Hmong Community. When he learns that the Hmong community was in need of a funeral home he decided to take on this challenge.
He knew that the Hmong culture is centered on the importance of family. “Our Family” is a loosely define term which encompasses our immediate families’ families’ families. With his Hmong upbringing, he knew the community needed a large space for congregating and performing religious ceremonies and a huge kitchen and dining hall to support guests who are attending the funeral. There was no such place available except to design and built, which is exactly what he did and the East and West Chapel was created. He later added the Maplewood Chapel and the Minneapolis Chapel.
He is actively involved in the overall management of the funeral home. He sets the overall standards and expectations and is a strong supporter of Legacy Funeral Home and the Community.
Mike Dougherty
Funeral Director
Mike is an experienced Funeral Director with deep roots in the funeral service industry. Coming from a long line of funeral directors, Mike's family legacy includes grandfather, father, brother, uncles, and cousins, all of whom have made significant contruibutions to the profession.
In addition to his role at Legacy Funeral Home, Mike is an instructor at the University of Minnesota's Program of Mortuary Science, where he is highly respected by both his students and peers. His commitment to the profession and his community is a testament to his dedication to excellence in funeral service.
Saksit is the Family Service Manager at Legacy Funeral Home. As the first point of contact for families, he is often the compassionate voice families hear when reaching out for support.
Saksit holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Education with the minor in counseling. With his extensive academic background and caring nature, he is dedicated to providing empathetic guidance during difficult times. Saksit takes great pride in listening to the needs, concerns, and wishes of each family, working closely with them to create a funeral service that truly honors the legacy of their loved one's life.
Npheng Kong
Family Service Coordinator
Npheng serves as the Family Service Coordinator at Legacy Funeral Home, where she plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role in ensuring that funeral services are seamless and stress-free for families. With a warm and approachable demeanor, Npheng works diligently to support families during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Her primary goal is to provide compassionate guideance and coordination, handling all the details of the funeral process so that families can focus on honoring their loved ones.
Npheng is dedicated to offering the highest level of care, making sure that every aspect of the services is managed with sensitivity and professionalism.
Blai Vang
Vice President - Facilities Services & Funeral Assistant
Blai is the Facilities Manager and Funeral Assistant at Legacy Funeral Home. His professionalism, strong work ethic, and genuine compassion are evident in every aspect of his role. Blai is deeply committed to serving families during their time of bereavement, recognizing the importance of providing comfort and support when it's needed most.
Blai takes pride in helping others, bringing smiles to people's faces and offering exceptional customer service to the families he serves. With his kind heart and dedication, Blai has become a valued member of the Legacy Funeral Home team, ensuring that each family received the care and attention they deserve.
Yengkong Yang
Facilities Manager & Funeral Assistant
Yengkong is a Funeral Assistant at Legacy Funeral Home, bringing a strong background in facilities and maintenance to his role. With his outgoing personality and proficiency in multiple languages, Yengkong is a valuable asset to the team. He understands the importance of cultural sensitivity and believes that speaking the same language and addressing the unique needs of families during their time of loss can make a significant difference.
Yengkong is particularly committed to reaching out to the Hmong community, offering support and ensuring these families feel the compassion and care Legacy Funeral Home provides during their most difficult moments.
Nyajleng Vang
Family Care Associate
Nyajleng serves as the Family Care Associate at Legacy Funeral Home, he plays a key role in providing support to families during funeral services. Known for his compassionate nature and encouraging presence, Nyajleng is dedicated to offering comfort and assistance, particularly on weekends, when he is often directly involved in helping families navigate their time of loss.
For Nyajleng, there is no greater fulfillment than being in position to serve and support the families of Legacy Funeral Home, ensuring that each family feels cared for and valued during one of life's most challenging moments.