Roma E. Shults

Roma E. Shults, 95, passed away on May 12, 2019. Roma and her twin brother Richard were born at home on January 23, 1924 in Hesston, KS to Mary and W.W. Stratton. Graduating in the class of '42 from Newton High School, she began her life's journey. In 1948, she met and married her lifelong love and husband Homer Leon (Lee) Shults. Once they started a family, Roma devoted herself to raising children-- until her children began arriving home late on the school bus. After a dare from the school superintendent to help relieve a driver shortage, in 1964 she became the first woman bus driver in the Goddard schools. After breaking that glass ceiling, she moved on to work as an accountant for 18 years at Martin K Eby Construction Co. Upon retiring, Roma and Lee enjoyed road trips, grandchildren, and volunteering. Roma lived a full life and left earth prepared to meet her Savior, Jesus. She is survived by their son Chris (Jana), daughter Ruth (Charles) and daughter-in-law Jane Freed (Mike), sister Wilma Rife, grandsons Daniel (Kara), Gabriel (Amanda), Kyle (April) and Todd (Anaïs) Shults, granddaughter Jennifer Miller (Dan), eight great grandchildren, and one more on the way. Her family and many dear friends will greatly miss her love and wisdom. She was preceded in death by her husband Lee and son Mark, her parents, three brothers and two sisters. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Goddard Methodist Church, the Goddard Education Foundation (https://www.goddardef.org), or the charity of your choice. Roma’s funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, May 17th at the Goddard United Methodist Church, 300 N. Cedar, Goddard, KS, with a visitation 1-hr prior. Pastor John Martyn will officiate.