Dec. 21, 1960 - April 5, 2010SOUTH BEND - Brenda F. Kmitta, 49, of South Bend, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2010, at 3:22 p.m. in the Hospice House after a courageous battle with cancer with her family by her side. Brenda was born December 21, 1960, in Elkhart, IN, and had resided in the South Bend area her lifetime. On August 21, 2001, as Brenda Schuster, she married James E. Kmitta, who survives. She has one surviving daughter, Shannon (Dale) Boon of DeMotte, IN; and two surviving grandsons, Brian and Bradley Boon of DeMotte, whom she loved and cherished. Also surviving are her mother, Phyllis F. Call of South Bend, IN; and two sisters, Nancy C. (Raymond) Toth of Eaton, CO, and Gail (Robert) Kusmiez of North Liberty, IN; along with one brother, Bill C. (Robin) Schuster of Niles, MI. She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford W. Schuster. Mrs. Kmitta had worked for South Bend Community Schools as a contract bus driver since 1991. Brenda was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who loved spending time with her grandsons. She also loved spending time with her friends, horseback riding, gardening, cross-stitching and garage sales. She was an avid animal lover too! Visitation hours will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2010, in Hanley & Sons "Southwest Chapel Funeral Home, located at West Ireland Road/S.R. #23, South Bend, IN. In lieu of flowers, make all memorial contributions to Pet Refuge Inc, 2300 W. 6th St., Mishawaka, IN 46544; or to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. The HANLEY AND SONS "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home handled arrangements and services and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Kmitta family.