Jewel Nell Sundbeck

1928 - 2025

You are reading in the newspaper that I am dead. Do not believe a word of it, for I am more alive than ever before! I "borrowed" this quote from Dwight L Moody because I couldn't think of a better way to give such good news. I am now with my Savior. I am now in my real home. This body that I have no more use for is dead and will be put in the ground, but I can assure you that I am not there. If you want to shed tears, make them tears of joy that I have been released from all pain and fears. That I am with my Lord and have joined all that have gone before me.

I was born at home, in the town of Sprinkle, Texas, to Carl and Albertina Sundbeck. I was their 9th child. I have had a life blessed beyond belief. What would be better than being one of 11 children. I am survived by my brother, Carl Jr. (Emely), sister in law Patty Sundbeck, and many nieces and nephews. I was proceeded in death by my parents, Carl Titus and Albertina, and nine siblings. They are Lillian Swenson (Elmer), Wenfield Sundbeck (Eldora and Gladys), Leonard Sundbeck (Nancy and Dee), Leroy Sundbeck (Annabel), Marvin Sundbeck (June), Margaret Sundbeck Lind (Eldon), Laverne Sundbeck Hart, Charlotte Sundbeck Hawkinson (Kenneth), and Georgia Sundbeck Gustafson (Harvey). There were also many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins that were an important part of my growing up years. I am still blessed with cousins, though there are fewer as the Lord takes us home.

Another precious and undeserved blessings were my dear friends Virginia Baldwin and Mary Shaw. God brought us together when we were young women. They became my friends, my confidents, my encouragers, and shoulders to cry on. We became close friends through the years, as we have gone through together, the trials and joys of life. Most importantly, I knew Virginia and Mary prayed for me every single day. From them, I learned unconditional love and I will remain grateful throughout eternity.

I have had love and prayers wrapped around me all my life. And I've been reminded each day of the depth of God's grace in my journey of forgiveness and restoration. I've spent my life cradled in the arms of my Jesus. I think that right this minute I'm dancing in front of His Throne singing "Holy, Holy Is The Lamb". That's my picture of Heaven. For any who might be reading this, a lot is said about Heaven in the Bible. May I suggest you do a study, then ask yourself"If I die today, where will I spend eternity?". If I'm wrong, I haven't lost a thing because I've tried to live my life as if God was as real as someone sitting right beside me. (Of course, I have "missed the mark" more times than I like to think about.) But His presence, in the form of the Holy Spirit, has always been with me. And what if I'm right?

If anyone would like to do something in my memory, please don't put flowers beside a dead body. There are so many ministries that are close to my heart. Just a fewStonecroft Ministries, Pioneer Girls, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Jews For Jesus, and Greater European Missions and Austin Oaks Church (formerly First Evangelical Free Church of Austin). This is where I found a new family. The body of believers in this church have ministered to me to countless ways throughout the years. Not just by being good friends, but by lifting me up in prayer through many times in my life. I have a large stack of cards and notes (I can't bring myself to throw them away) that mean love and caring to me. Countless offers of help in any way. This church body behaves like a body of Christ is supposed to behave. We cry together and laugh together. These are special, caring people who know the loving art of bringing joy to others by sharing from the heart. I thank God that His plan included our blood family, then the church family, led by our precious pastors, Rob Harrell, and Brandon Zieske. I wish I could list all of you that have meant so much to me, but that isn't possible. All of you know how I have loved you.

I have also been blessed by working with some of the ministries I mentioned. When we bring pleasure to another human heart, we have followed in His footsteps and we've had a little part in serving Him who loves us. I'm very sure that in serving these around us, we serve and please Him. Too. I thank God for the opportunities He's given me to serve. I have never ministered to anyone, at any time, that I didn't receive the greater blessing.

When you read this, I will have taken my last breath here, and the next in Heaven. Many of you I will see again. Some I won't, and that's the saddest thing in this world. God has made provision that "none should perish". That provision was the sacrifice on His Son. You are all too valuable and cost Him too dearly not to receive that gift. And it is a gift. There is no way we can earn our way into heaven, or buy our way, or work our way. The only way is through Jesus Christ. The most quoted verse in the Bible is John 3:16. Most of us learned it when we were children in Vacation Bible School. "For God so loved the world, the He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life". Please let that verse sink into your heart and receive that gift of salvation so we will meet again. Blissfully and blessedly happy, Jewel.

Memorial service will be February 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at Austin Oaks Church, 4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd. 512-891-1600. Visitation will be February 27, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Weed Corley Fish, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX. 78731.