Joyce Edna Schkade

Jinx (Joyce) Schkade, 94, of Friendswood, Texas, went to be with her Lord on May 18, 2021. She was born August 1, 1926 (her Mother’s birthday) in Port Arthur, Texas to Henry and Elsie Teufel and joined an older brother, Earl, into the family. Jinx always considered her Christian parents and brother one of God’s special blessings.

Jinx attended Lutheran School, 1-7, at Trinity Lutheran in Port Arthur, was baptized in 1926, confirmed in 1939 and married there in 1948 to Otto Schkade. Trinity’s original hymn board hangs in her home, with the hand carved hymn numbers used to commemorate those dates. She was active in Choir, Walther League Youth, and taught Sunday School. During the Second World War, she served as editor and feature writer for the Ten Minute Break, a Church newsletter sent to all from Trinity Lutheran in the service.

Jinx and Scotty’s first son, Michael, was born in Port Arthur on July 18, 1949 and in 1950 the young family moved to Brownsville, Texas. There in 1952, daughter Cristine was born. After a move to San Antonio, son Stephen’s birth in 1954 completed the family.

Today the family includes Daughter-in-law Debbie Schkade and Son-in-law David Breeden. Grandchildren are Diane Matthijetz (husband Michael), Jennifer Lobaugh (husband Shane), Jason Davila, Matthew Breeden, Meredith Nugent (husband Terry), and Monica Stephens (husband Donnie). Great Grandchildren are Brandon and Blake Matthijetz, Austin Lobaugh, Aislinn, Jonathan and Daniel Nugent, Lorelai and Aubrianna Stephens, and extended family and friends.

In 1963, Jinx and Scotty moved to Houston and from 1973-1988 she was employed at the University of Houston, Central Campus, retiring as Office Manager of the Foundations of Education/Educational Psychology Department, retiring one year preceding the death of her husband.

Jinx became a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) in 1948. After joining Hope Lutheran Church, she served the LWML on the Texas District Convention Committee (1988), the District’s Mission Projects Committee (1996-1998), and as a District ESP Workshop Leader (1992-1993). She served the Gulf Coast Zone as Vice President, Secretary and, with a two day Zone Retreat (1995). Jinx was honored as Lutheran Woman of the Year by the Concordia College, Austin (now University) in 1994.

At Hope Lutheran LWML, Jinx held office as President, Vice President, Secretary, Christian Growth Chairman and Publicity Chairman (1985-2017). A short article honoring her mother-in-law, Henrietta Schkade, was published in the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly in 1994 and a feature article honoring her mother, Elsie Teufel, in 1995.

In 2006, Jinx wrote a collection of devotions, “And all the Ripples.” Her love of writing was, in her words, “just taking the Lord’s dictation,” and this long love of writing and sense of humor she considered gifts from God. In 2009, LWML published selections of this collection titled “A Devotional Journey.”

Jinx has been a member of Hope Lutheran Church for over 45 years and has served the congregation as a member of the Board of Church Functions, Vacation Bible School Chairman, and two Capital Growth Committees. She was a member of Ladies Guild, Women’s Small Group, Thursday Morning Bible Class, Morning Braille Printers, Knotty Ladies, Then & Now Resale Shop, and as a Stephen Minister for 25 years.

Ladies Guild Honorary Pallbearers are Michele Albrecht, Janet Burtzlaff, Kathy Olson, and Mary Ann Waldon.

Pallbearers are David Breeden, Jason Davila, Shane Lobaugh, Austin Lobaugh, Michael Matthijetz, Brandon Matthijetz, Blake Matthijetz and Bill Schkade.

Thanking God for His abundant love and grace are expressed in her Mission Statement.

“And through faith in Jesus Christ, eternal life is mine,

may I cherish my gifts of grace and

use my grace-gifts in His service by living a furthering of His Word.”

(Jinx’s nickname was playfully given on Leap Year, February 29, 1948 by Otto Schkade on their first date. They married four months later, June 30, 1948.)

For those who wish, In lieu of flowers, may send donations to Hope Lutheran Church in her name.