Suderman, Margaretha (1877-1937)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Sep 22 p. 5

Birth date: 1877 Sep 11

text of obituary:

LOCAL

. . .

— Funeral services for Miss Margaretha Suderman, 60, who passed away at the Bethel Hospital last Sunday morning, are being held at the First Mennonite church today. Death followed a serious illnes [sic] from pneumonia. Her mother, living at Goessel, and one brother survive. Interment will be made in Greenwood cemetery.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Sep 29 p. 2

text of obituary:

Margaretha Suderman

Margaretha Suderman was born near Marienburg, West Prussia on September 11, 1877. At the age of four she found a home with Mr. and Mrs. Herman Suderman of Route 3, Newton, and brought joy and cheer to the childless couple. Later she attended District school as well as Bible school then taught by Mr. Abram Suderman and J. K. Kliewer. Study was difficult for her and occasionally it came to tears, but once she knew a thing she remembered it for life. In the home she was trained to be industrious, orderly and saving. In pleasant surroundings among friends along with a foster brother and sister Margaretha grew up to young womanhood.

Her fosterparents were godfearing people and their daughter was reared in the same spirit. She learned to know the Lord Jesus as her Savior in early childhood, she loved Him and trusted Him. For several years she attended catechism class. many a time did she walk the three miles to town with her foster sister Woxie. On May 24, 1896 she was baptized and admitted in the fellowship of First Mennonite church of Newton by the Elder Rev. Jakob Toews. She was fully aware of the importance of this step. She loved the Lord and remained a faithful and loyal member of the church to the time of her death.

In 1906 her parents moved to Newton. In 1915 she lost her fosterfather through death and in 1917 her fostermother. Her father had been an invalid and her mother in failing health for a number of years and Margaretha repaid their love to her to the best of her knowledge and ability. She was conscientious and faithful in all she did.

After the death of her parents she found a new home at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital and for the last 20 years was a faithful member of the Bethel family. Her willing service will be greatly missed.

Saturday, September 11, she celebrated her 60th birthday. The following day, Sunday, she visited her aged mother in Bethesda Home of Goessel. She had been chilling most of the day and Monday she was feeling no better. But she insisted on working all day and took care of some of her duties on Tuesday. Wednesday, however, she was prevailed upon to stay in bed, though she thought she was not really sick enough. Thursday her condition became serious and the doctor pronounced it pneumonia. The illness made rapid progress in spite of all that was done to help her and Sunday morning at nine her spirit took its flight to the heavenly Home to be with her Savior whom she had loved and served all her life.

She always found great pleasure in bringing joy to others, many a one here could testify to that; She had done what she could.

" — Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." — Matthew 25: 21.

Last rites for Margaretha Suderman were conducted Wednesday afternoon in the Chapel of the Sister's Home where the Rev. J. E. Entz read a short scripture and offered prayer. The entire group then sang "Worthy Art Thou, Lord Divine." The service at the First Mennonite Church was held at 2:30 o'clock, the Reverend Entz officiating.

Reverend Entz delivered a German sermon and gave a reading of the obituary in German. Music was furnished by an octet composed of the Bethel Sisters who sang two selections, "We findet die Seele die Heimat, die Ruh'," and "There is a place of quiet rest near to the Heart of God." The obituary and sermon were then read in English by the Rev. A. Warkentin and the service was closed with prayer and a benediction.

Casketbearers were H. H. Suderman, A. D. Claassen, Alfred Suderman, Ernest Claassen, Abe Quiring and C. J. Richert. The body was laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery by Henry j. Sprinker of the Sprinker Mortuary.