Burlingame - Gina Lynn Shultz, 54, "finished the race" early Saturday morning October 14, 2023, at K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, following a kidney injury sustained while beating cancer. She was born December 6, 1968, to Wiley and Barbara (Clark) Ames in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Growing up she was heavily involved in 4-H, especially the dog, horse, clothing, and foods projects. She served her local 4-H club as a Junior Leader and spent several summers assisting Osage County as a Junior Camp Counselor at Rock Springs Ranch. Several of her county fair projects qualified for the state over the years; the most memorable being when she and her dog represented Bourbon County in the Kansas State Fair Dog Showmanship competition. Outside of 4-H, she enjoyed competing with her forensics and debate team, and teaching swimming lessons as a lifeguard at Ft. Scott city pool.

Gina graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1987, then completed an Associate of Science degree from Ft. Scott Community College in 1990 which she then used to begin substitute teaching. Gina moved to Osage County and began taking classes at Emporia State University. She was working at Casey's General Store in Lyndon with a friend the night Brett Shultz walked in, and she announced: "that is the man I am going to marry!" On April 27, 1991, Gina and Brett were indeed united in marriage at Lyndon United Methodist Church. They lived briefly in Lyndon and Harveyville before moving to Burlingame in 1995. Fulfilling her dream of having a big family, Gina and Brett had seven children whom she raised with much patience and grace. In addition to homeschooling her own children, she was a founding member of F.A.I.T.H. Keepers homeschool group, and functioned as the Bible, Academics, & Fine Arts Coordinator for The Mid-America Association of Christian Schools.
Gina had successful home businesses selling Park Lane jewelry, DK illustrated reference books, and Usborne children's books - but volunteer work is where she shined brightest. She was the Board President of Burlingame Community Library, a Burlingame Chamber of Commerce member, and worked with the Burlingame Historical Board to support the Schuyler Museum. She served for many years as a 4-H club and project leader for both the Burlingame and Clover Wranglers 4-H clubs, as well as a superintendent for the Osage County fairs.

Among her many other interests, Gina had an undeniable love of books, thrift shopping, organizing parties, and showing love to family and friends on Valentine's Day. She was known for driving her kids around to "give people heart attacks" by taping an assortment of hearts and messages on their windows as a surprise. Gina was a woman of enduring faith. She knew God was with her always and she gave Him praise and glory even in the most difficult of times. Gina sought to model that faith in her life, and in victory over disease and death. It was her diligent prayer that her loved ones would find their own peace and salvation by believing in Jesus as well.

Gina is survived by her husband of 32 years, Brett, and six children: Mariah, Josiah, Lily, Isaac, Kieren, and Solomon. Also surviving are her mother, Barbara Ames; her father Wiley Ames and wife, Susan; stepsister, Chelsie (Russell) Cole, and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her eight-year-old daughter, Emma Shultz, in 2014.

A Celebration of Life for Gina will be held at 10:00a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at the Burlingame Elementary School Gym (417 N Dacotah St. Burlingame, KS 66413). Inurnment will take place at the Burlingame Community Cemetery later. Please wear happy/bright colors, especially teal & pink. Following the service, there will be a potluck style lunch in the cafeteria, so please bring your favorite comfort foods. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Gina Shultz Memorial Fund (to be designated later), sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451.