Former Owner

After a long, courageous battle with cancer, Steve went to be with the Lord on February 24, 2007. We leave this in memory of our dear friend and co-worker.

Donna Schmidt Fricke, a native of Bellville, began working with her husband, Steve, and her mother-in-law, Rachel, in the family-owned and -operated funeral business in 1985, when they decided to expand their business to Bellville. After Steve passed away in 2007, Donna took over the reins, overseeing the day-to-day operations of both the Brookshire and Bellville locations. 

A 1975 graduate of Bellville High School, Donna resides in Bellville with her husband, Wayne, where they are active members of the Bellville United Methodist Church. Donna is also a member of the Bluebonnet Society of Austin County and the Chamber of Commerce.

Ryan Schmidt joined the family business in January 2022. Prior to moving back to his hometown of Bellville, he graduated from The United States Military Academy in 2006 and served as a Field Artillery Officer from 2006-2011, with postings in South Korea, Fort Carson, CO, and Afghanistan. 

After transitioning from the Army, Ryan worked in the Oil and Gas sector and held a variety of positions in Operations, Engineering, and Sales. In 2018, Ryan graduated from Texas A&M Mays Business School with an executive MBA degree. 

After numerous moves while working in the Oil and Gas business, Ryan and his wife Jessie decided to set roots in Bellville with their three children, Blake, Cade, and Alyssa, with the goal of serving both the Brookshire and Bellville communities.

Troy Arndt was born and raised in Bellville, graduating from Bellville High School in 1984. He continued his education and graduated from Blinn College in 1986. Troy became interested in the funeral industry at an early age when he would go with his dad, who was a local barber, to the funeral home to cut hair. He graduated from Commonwealth College of Houston with a diploma in funeral service in 1987 and joined the staff at Schmidt Funeral Home to do his apprenticeship. 

After licensing in 1988, Troy continued to work for them but decided to leave to become a professional musician. He has continued to work on and off for different funeral homes. Troy has spent the last 17 years as a morning radio personality at KTEX radio where he was known by listeners as Trailboss Troy. 

Troy decided to return to his hometown of Bellville to join Schmidt Funeral Home’s staff in March 2024 and is glad to be serving his friends, neighbors, and many that he grew up with. He has a daughter, a son, and three grandchildren. In his spare time, he still enjoys making music and entertaining.

Kayla Lassus was born in Louisiana but spent most of her years growing up in Cypress, Texas. She has most recently made her home in Katy. Kayla graduated from the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in December 2022 and has since made Schmidt Funeral Homes in Brookshire and Bellville her places of work. 

Before graduating from Commonwealth, Kayla took extra courses in school to become CANA certified to better help families with the cremation process. She also worked tirelessly to procure her Cosmetology license and Esthetician certifications to help assist her in any beauty or restoration needs that may be required. In her free time, Kayla is usually found spending time with her pets, crafting, and enjoying the outdoors. 

Kayla's day-to-day operations include meeting with families to plan arrangements for their loved ones who have passed away, preparing their loved ones before their final dispositions, and assisting with funerals, memorial services, graveside services, and cremations. 

Dana Falk Speckmaier, a native of Bellville, brings a wealth of knowledge to the business office for Schmidt Funeral Home in Bellville and Brookshire. With over 18 years with the firm, she handles the day-to-day matters that might arise and is a vital part of the operation. 

Dana resides in Wallis with her husband, Joe, and daughter, Saley. She is a graduate of Bellville High School, Class of 1993, Sebring Beauty College, and a former member of Christian City Fellowship, where she was a nursery caregiver for infants to age 18 months and a former teacher of WOW Rainbow Club, ages 3-5 years. 

She is a member of Orchard Baptist Church. Dana serves as Vice President on the 1861 Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Board of Directors, and Wallis Lions Club. She is an active parent at Brazos High School in Wallis where her daughter is a freshman. 

Dana wears many hats at Schmidt Funeral Home. She takes charge of all of the necessary tasks for funerals, memorial services, gravesides, and cremations. She is also someone to visit concerning a monument to honor a loved one. Dana is a licensed agent who can help you plan your prearranged funeral needs.

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Jessica Stokes was born and raised in Katy. Graduating early from Katy High School in 1998, she began a career in real estate and was married shortly thereafter.

Continuing her journey, she earned her degree in healthcare administration and psychology (and later earned a Phlebotomy certification) and managed a local doctor’s office until his retirement.

As her family grew, she and her husband opened an IT consulting business. Eleven years ago, they moved to the Brookshire area to a large homestead alongside her parents and brother’s family.

For many of those years, she has managed multiple Houston area chapters of a local masonic youth organization for girls, the International Order of Rainbow Girls, as well as retaining membership in the Order of Eastern Star for over 20 years.   

As a part of the Schmidt team, she endeavors to earnestly bring comfort to the community, handling day-to-day operations, assisting with monuments, and helping families, among other duties.