Lois Joyce Broekema (nee Schattschneider) lived 78 years, 6 months and 24 days when her Lord closed her eyes in the sleep of death, opened the gates of paradise and welcomed her into the mansions of heaven on Sunday, October 21, 2018.
She was born March 27, 1940 to Harvey and Linda Schattschneider in Milwaukee, WI. On April 21, 1940 she was born again through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, and became a child of God and a lamb of the Good Shepherd. Her godparents included her Grandma Helena Schattschneider, her Aunt Ida Kling and her Uncle Harvey Winkle. She and her brother Richard were raised in a Christian home. The Schattschneider family transferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cudahy when Lois was four years and St. Paul’s remained her church home the rest of her life. She attended Lincoln School in Cudahy for her grade school years. On April 11, 1954, she confidently professed her Christian faith in her Savior and was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The confirmation verse given to her by her pastor, Heinrich Vogel, was John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” She graduated from Racine Lutheran High School in 1958.
On a windy day on May 15, 1971, she married the love of her life, Hubert, at a double wedding – along with her father Harvey and Emilie Schattschneider at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The Lord blessed her with 3 children and 7 grandchildren with whom she diligently instilled the love of her Savior along with her homemade chocolate chip cookies. As a life-long member of St. Paul’s Church, she was active in many areas including the Choir, the Special Communion Service, Ladies Aid, Boy Pioneer Leader, the Funeral Committee, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, and in general, volunteering at the Church and School in whatever capacity she could serve her Lord. As the “unofficial” St. Paul’s Church historian, she loved to collect church and school bulletins, pictures, newsletters, anniversary booklets and newspaper clippings.
She was proud to have worked at Hunter Machinery as an Office Manager (where she met her future husband) and more recently, at Nite Owl as a Fountain Engineer. Her hobbies included volunteering, knitting, sewing, spending time her children and grandchildren, baking desserts, making cookies, traveling, summers at the cottage, and watching/attending sporting events.
Lois let her gospel light shine by insisting her children and grandchildren attend Christian primary and secondary schools and constantly encouraged and supported them as they continued to grow. Having lived in the same house her entire life, she fostered a nurturing and encouraging atmosphere where she shared her wisdom through numerous conversations over her kitchen table with both friends and family. She battled health issues most of her life – but it never seemed to get her down – she was always upbeat no matter what the circumstance. While she prepared meals for thousands of people throughout her life, we are confident she is now enjoying the heavenly banquet that was prepared especially for her.
Lois was the beloved wife of Hubert for 47 years. She was the loving mother to John (Bonnie), Steven (Veronica) and Linda (Ruben) Villa. She was the cherished grandmother of William, Timothy, Micah, Aaron, Abigail, Elijah, and Emmalia. She was step-sister to - Glen (Nina) Weismueller, and sister-in-law to - Geraldine Schattschneider and James Hansen.
She was preceded in death by her parents - Harvey and Linda (nee Stresing) Schattschneider, and step-mother - Emilie Schattschneider (nee Weismueller); brother - Richard; step-brother - Ronald Weismueller; sister-in-law - Marie Hansen, and nephew - Joey Weismueller. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and godchildren as well as other relatives and friends.
Visitation Wednesday October 24th at ST. PAUL’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3775 East Cudahy Ave., Cudahy from 4:00 PM until time of services at 6:00 PM. Interment Thursday at 11:00 AM at Good Hope Cemetery, Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, memorials to her church are appreciated.
