About Us
Rooted in Compassion. Built on Friendship.
Lara Marks & Kari Dykhouse
Co-OwnersOak and Ash Pet Memorial Services offers compassionate, reliable and exceptional pet aftercare solutions, specializing in pet cremation and personalized memorial products designed to honor a life deeply loved.
In 2025, we — best friends Kari Dykhouse and Lara Marks — founded Oak and Ash with a shared belief: pet parents deserve more during one of life's hardest moments.
After experiencing firsthand how clinical and impersonal pet aftercare can feel, we knew there had to be a better way — one rooted in dignity, transparency and genuine care.
We are proud to be a woman-owned, family-operated business. Our families are woven into the heart of Oak and Ash — from Kari's husband, Matt, to our children, Peter, Lily, Marijke and Marie — each of us committed to honoring pets with the same tenderness we would want for our own.
Because to us, this isn't just a service.
We believe in:
Transparency and Genuine Care
Oak and Ash uses the Angel Paws™ tracking platform to provide thoughtful transparency throughout your pet's aftercare journey. Through a secure tracking portal, mobile apps and timely text and email updates, families are gently kept informed each step of the way. This real-time visibility offers reassurance and peace of mind by staying connected.
Memorials with Meaning
We offer memorial products designed to feel as meaningful as the lives they honor. Each piece is thoughtfully selected for its simplicity and ability to reflect a beloved companion's story. Rather than one-size-fits-all options, we focus on providing choices that feel intentional and comforting, helping families remember their pets in a way that is both personal and enduring.
Support Beyond the Moment
We support families through the most difficult moments of loss with care that feels steady and compassionate. Pet parents have access to thoughtfully curated grief resources, tools to create meaningful celebration videos and the ability to build lasting online memorial tributes. These offerings provide gentle ways to reflect, remember and honor the bond they shared.