Caleb Flax
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Caleb Flax was born and raised in WaKeeney, Kansas—a small-town upbringing that shaped his deep commitment to community and service. After graduating from Chanute High School, he returned to his hometown to attend Fort Hays State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Networking & Telecommunications. He launched a computer repair business in WaKeeney but eventually discovered his true calling: serving families through the funeral profession.
In 2024, Caleb graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with an Advanced Standing Diploma in Mortuary Science. He successfully passed both the National Board Exams in Funeral Service Sciences and Funeral Service Arts, and completed a year-long apprenticeship under Joel Fitzgerald II. He is now a dually licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the state of Kansas.
Since 2022, Caleb has been a valued member of the team at Schmitt Funeral Home. Known for his compassion, reliability, and quiet strength, he is honored to care for the community that helped raise him. Whether guiding a family through their most difficult days or going the extra mile behind the scenes, Caleb is driven by a heartfelt dedication to service.
He currently resides in WaKeeney with his fiancée, Sierra, their teenage daughter, Tatum, and their two energetic young sons, Leland and Landon.
-family, faith, & community.
Caleb Flax
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Caleb Flax was born and raised in WaKeeney, Kansas—a small-town upbringing that shaped his deep commitment to community and service. After graduating from Chanute High School, he returned to his hometown to attend Fort Hays State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Networking & Telecommunications. He launched a computer repair business in WaKeeney but eventually discovered his true calling: serving families through the funeral profession.
In 2024, Caleb graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with an Advanced Standing Diploma in Mortuary Science. He successfully passed both the National Board Exams in Funeral Service Sciences and Funeral Service Arts, and completed a year-long apprenticeship under Joel Fitzgerald II. He is now a dually licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the state of Kansas.
Since 2022, Caleb has been a valued member of the team at Schmitt Funeral Home. Known for his compassion, reliability, and quiet strength, he is honored to care for the community that helped raise him. Whether guiding a family through their most difficult days or going the extra mile behind the scenes, Caleb is driven by a heartfelt dedication to service.
He currently resides in WaKeeney with his fiancée, Sierra, their teenage daughter, Tatum, and their two energetic young sons, Leland and Landon.
-family, faith, & community.
Ron Kaiser
Funeral Director and Monument Specialist
Ronald (Ron) is a resident of Quinter, KS, born and raised there. Ron graduated from Quinter High School and attended Fort Hays State College. Ron was in the United States Army; serving overseas in Korea for 13 months where he earned the Army Commendation Medal of Merit. Ron is an active member of the Quinter Service Club and Quinter American Legion Post 164. He is currently a church council member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Collyer where he is an active member. In the past he served on the Quinter City Council and as president of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association sixth district. Ron started part time in 1966 in the funeral business with Hendricks Funeral Home, Quinter and Wakeeney. In 2000, after the closing of Coast to Coast which he and his wife owned for 30 years, he has been employed full time with Schmitt Funeral Home. Ron and wife Bernadine have three children and six grandchildren.
Ron Kaiser
Funeral Director and Monument Specialist
Ronald (Ron) is a resident of Quinter, KS, born and raised there. Ron graduated from Quinter High School and attended Fort Hays State College. Ron was in the United States Army; serving overseas in Korea for 13 months where he earned the Army Commendation Medal of Merit. Ron is an active member of the Quinter Service Club and Quinter American Legion Post 164. He is currently a church council member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Collyer where he is an active member. In the past he served on the Quinter City Council and as president of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association sixth district. Ron started part time in 1966 in the funeral business with Hendricks Funeral Home, Quinter and Wakeeney. In 2000, after the closing of Coast to Coast which he and his wife owned for 30 years, he has been employed full time with Schmitt Funeral Home. Ron and wife Bernadine have three children and six grandchildren.
Brian Roesch
Assistant Funeral Director
Brian Roesch grew up in Quinter, KS, graduated from Quinter High School in 1983. He then attended Fort Hays State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education and a Masters in Educational Administration. Brian has taught and coached for 35 years, in three different school districts across western Kansas, and is currently working for Quinter High School. In 1985 Brian married Linda, a native of Quinter, KS, and they have four children and five grandchildren. In his spare time he loves spending time with his family, reading, working in his yard and inventing. Brian has been employed with Schmitt Funeral Home for 11 years, and feels very fortunate to serve the people of Quinter, WaKeeney and the surrounding areas.
Brian Roesch
Assistant Funeral Director
Brian Roesch grew up in Quinter, KS, graduated from Quinter High School in 1983. He then attended Fort Hays State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education and a Masters in Educational Administration. Brian has taught and coached for 35 years, in three different school districts across western Kansas, and is currently working for Quinter High School. In 1985 Brian married Linda, a native of Quinter, KS, and they have four children and five grandchildren. In his spare time he loves spending time with his family, reading, working in his yard and inventing. Brian has been employed with Schmitt Funeral Home for 11 years, and feels very fortunate to serve the people of Quinter, WaKeeney and the surrounding areas.
Karen Roesch
Funeral Assistant
Karen Roesch grew up in Quinter, Kansas and graduated from Quinter High School. She completed the requirement for licensing from a beauty school in Salina, Kansas and married her high school sweetheart all in 1955.
Karen and her husband, Curtis were stationed at Pearl harbor in the Navy and their first 2 ½ years of marriage were in the Territory of Hawaii. Karen and Curtis have four children, 8 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 4 step-great grandchildren.
Karen raised her children as a stay-at-home mom and was active in the community and church work. In 1975 she was nominated at Outstanding Young Woman of the Year, in part because she started a Girl Scout program in the town they were living.
Curtis and Karen trained and managed the Quinter Dairy Queen for a number of years then Curtis’s job took the family to Concordia, Kansas where Karen took counseling classes at the junior college.
Karen was hired to head up a grant through Cloud County Community College to help SRS Clients. She also helped lead some of the classes. During this time Karen was Chairman of the local Christian Women’s group for 2 years.
After Curtis graduated from seminary, they moved to Osawatomie, Kansas where Karen was Curtis’ church secretary, served as the Baptist Secretary and served in the mission department on the Board of Directors of the Baptist Central Region. She also took Hospice training and started a grief support group.
Curtis and Karen returned to Quinter in 2003. Karen went through the Hospice training and was Gove County Coordinator for three years. She also served on the mission board at the church they attended.
Karen became a widow after 65 years, 2 months, and 24 days. She then started a Grief Support Group in Quinter and lead Bible studies.
Schmitt Funeral Home has been blessed to have Karen be a part of the team for about 13 years.
Karen Roesch
Funeral Assistant
Karen Roesch grew up in Quinter, Kansas and graduated from Quinter High School. She completed the requirement for licensing from a beauty school in Salina, Kansas and married her high school sweetheart all in 1955.
Karen and her husband, Curtis were stationed at Pearl harbor in the Navy and their first 2 ½ years of marriage were in the Territory of Hawaii. Karen and Curtis have four children, 8 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 4 step-great grandchildren.
Karen raised her children as a stay-at-home mom and was active in the community and church work. In 1975 she was nominated at Outstanding Young Woman of the Year, in part because she started a Girl Scout program in the town they were living.
Curtis and Karen trained and managed the Quinter Dairy Queen for a number of years then Curtis’s job took the family to Concordia, Kansas where Karen took counseling classes at the junior college.
Karen was hired to head up a grant through Cloud County Community College to help SRS Clients. She also helped lead some of the classes. During this time Karen was Chairman of the local Christian Women’s group for 2 years.
After Curtis graduated from seminary, they moved to Osawatomie, Kansas where Karen was Curtis’ church secretary, served as the Baptist Secretary and served in the mission department on the Board of Directors of the Baptist Central Region. She also took Hospice training and started a grief support group.
Curtis and Karen returned to Quinter in 2003. Karen went through the Hospice training and was Gove County Coordinator for three years. She also served on the mission board at the church they attended.
Karen became a widow after 65 years, 2 months, and 24 days. She then started a Grief Support Group in Quinter and lead Bible studies.
Schmitt Funeral Home has been blessed to have Karen be a part of the team for about 13 years.
Joel Fitzgerald II
Funeral Director and Embalmer/Owner
Joel II is the third generation Fitzgerald in funeral service. Joel has followed in his father's footsteps and feels very fortunate to have such a model to follow. Joel graduated from Ness City High School, the University of Kansas, and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in San Francisco, California. Joel served on the mission field for three years in Quito and Shell, Ecuador as a science and math teacher. After returning to Kansas Joel taught 7th grade science for three more years. Joel II, manager of Fitzgerald Funeral Home has been working with his dad since 2000. Joel II and his wife, Judy, have three sons, Elijah, Isaiah, and Silas.
Joel Fitzgerald II
Funeral Director and Embalmer/Owner
Joel II is the third generation Fitzgerald in funeral service. Joel has followed in his father's footsteps and feels very fortunate to have such a model to follow. Joel graduated from Ness City High School, the University of Kansas, and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in San Francisco, California. Joel served on the mission field for three years in Quito and Shell, Ecuador as a science and math teacher. After returning to Kansas Joel taught 7th grade science for three more years. Joel II, manager of Fitzgerald Funeral Home has been working with his dad since 2000. Joel II and his wife, Judy, have three sons, Elijah, Isaiah, and Silas.
Joel Fitzgerald
Former Owner
Joel was a lifetime resident of Ness City and grew up in the funeral industry having worked with his father, Bryan, and his mother, Jennie. Joel graduated from Ness City High School, the University of Kansas, and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.
Joel proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and was a member of Ness City American Legion and the Ransom Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and Rotary International. Joel loved to serve and help families in any way he could. The Joel and his wife Ann, legacy owners of Schmitt Funeral Home and Fitzgerald Funeral Home, have two children, Heather and Joel, and 6 grandchildren.
Joel passed away on June 23, 2018, and his wife, Ann, followed on November 11, 2025. Together, they leave a lasting legacy of faith, trust, and dedication to both Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Schmitt Funeral Homes.
Joel Fitzgerald
Former Owner
Joel was a lifetime resident of Ness City and grew up in the funeral industry having worked with his father, Bryan, and his mother, Jennie. Joel graduated from Ness City High School, the University of Kansas, and the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.
Joel proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and was a member of Ness City American Legion and the Ransom Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and Rotary International. Joel loved to serve and help families in any way he could. The Joel and his wife Ann, legacy owners of Schmitt Funeral Home and Fitzgerald Funeral Home, have two children, Heather and Joel, and 6 grandchildren.
Joel passed away on June 23, 2018, and his wife, Ann, followed on November 11, 2025. Together, they leave a lasting legacy of faith, trust, and dedication to both Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Schmitt Funeral Homes.