Kimberly Louise Barnhart, 40, passed away early Sunday, October 22, 2023, near Des Moines, IA, as the result of a vehicle accident. She was born September 6, 1983, in Pawnee City, NE, the daughter of Stanley and Mary Alice (Niekamp) Schmitz of Seneca, KS.

Kimberly graduated from B&B USD 451 High School in 2002.

She married William Owen Barnhart on June 26, 2004, at Gage Park in Topeka, KS. She became the stepmother to William's two young boys, Zachary and Christian. The couple had two children: a daughter, Hanna, and a son, Cody.

The couple moved to Michigan, where Kimberly stayed home with her young children. She later became a school bus driver for the Fenton, Michigan School District before she moved with her family to Des Moines, IA, in June 2021. There, she continued driving school buses for the Southeast Polk Community School District. Kim loved her job, and the kids loved her. Students often presented her with pictures or trinkets they made at school. She always had pictures hanging on her refrigerator from one student or another. She received thank you notes from parents thanking her for looking out for their children. Kimberly had a huge heart, loved her family immensely, and always put the people she cared about first. Her compassion for others was her greatest attribute.

Survivors include her husband, William, of the home; four children: stepson Zachary (Lansing, MI), stepson Christian, daughter Hanna, and son Cody all of the home; her parents, Stanley and Mary Alice Schmitz of Seneca, KS; two brothers, Harlan Schmitz and LeRoy (Julie) Schmitz both of Seneca, KS and one sister, Deann (Terry) Tiede of Topeka, KS, and by loving in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will start a 9:00 A.M. Friday November 3, 2023, prior to the rosary at church.

A rosary will be prayed at 10 A.M. Friday, November 3, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in St. Benedict. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM Friday, November 3, 2023 at St. Mary's Church in St. Benedict. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials can be given in Kim's memory are to be designated at a later date, and sent in care of the family.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .