Brendt Smith

Brendt L Smith, 64, of Winona Lake, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024. He passed peacefully under the attentive and loving care of the staff at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital and hospice care.

Brendt was born June 29, 1959, in Detroit, the son of John and Virginia (Ginger) Smith, both deceased. When he was younger, he lived in Garden City, Mich., then moved to Warsaw. He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1977 then studied industrial technology at Illinois State University. He also attended Indiana University.

He owned his own construction business, Smith Construction, for many years and was also a custom jeweler. Brendt’s attention to detail allowed him to create many unique jewelry designs.

Brendt enjoyed being outdoors and on the water. At Winona Lake, he enjoyed swimming, boating, sailing and snorkeling, and in the winters he loved his home in Sarasota, Fla. His passion for swimming led him to swim for a short time at Indiana University. In addition, he loved to go to garage sales, estate sales, loved the show “American Pickers” and was an avid storyteller.

On Sept. 2, 1986, Brendt completed one of the most extraordinary feats in Kosciusko County. His attempt to establish a world’s record for swimming the most lakes (52) in 24 hours was in honor of his 52-year-old father, John, who died of cancer. An estimated $2,000 was raised, including about $1,700 from contributions taken at the lakes for the American Cancer Society.

He leaves behind his son, Braxton Smith, Columbia City; daughter, Presley Smith, Indianapolis; stepdaughter, Skylar Nusbaum, Warsaw; and three step-grandchildren, Boston, Milo and Cooper. Also surviving are his brother, Hal Smith, Winona Lake; sisters, Christy Cuban, Winona Lake, and Teresa Beckwith, Grand Rapids; his longtime companion, Katerina Chagan, Warsaw; his cousin, Stacey (Cindy) Smith, Paw Paw, Mich.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends.

There will be a private service held for the family at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw on a future date. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Brendt’s memory may be directed to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, 1048 S. 325E, Pierceton, IN 46562.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.