Suderman, Alfred C. (1902-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Nov 11 p. 8

Birth date: 1902 Oct 16

text of obituary:

. . .

• Alfred C. Suderman, 69, who farmed southeast of Newton most of his life, died Saturday evening at Bethel Deaconess Hospital after a long illness. He was born here in 1902, and was a member of the First Mennonite Church. Funeral services were conducted at the church on Wednesday afternoon, with Dr. Albert Epp and Rev. Roland Goering of Hillsboro officiating. A memorial fund has been established with the American Cancer Society. Mr. Suderman is survived by his widow, the former Matilda Wiebe; one son, Rev. Robert Suderman of Halstead; two grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. G. F. Busenitz, Miss Louise Suderman, Mrs. P. C. Andres and Miss Anna Suderman, all of Newton; and one brother, Herman H. Suderman, rural Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Dec 16 p. 11

Birth date: 1902 Oct 16

text of obituary:

ALFRED C. SUDERMAN

Alfred Carl Suderman was born on Oct. 16, 1902, on the old family farm, sometimes known as “Goldschar,” east of Newton, Kan., where he grew up and spent most of his life. He was the son of Jacob and Maria Claassen Suderman.

Shortly after his birth, Grandmother Suderman died leaving grandfather with six motherless children. Aunt Agathe Suderman Toews mothered Dad during his earliest months and became one of his favorite aunts. After Grandfather remarried, Dad again enjoyed the love of a mother, Mrs. Anna Regier Suderman, and was later joined by another sister and brother. His experiences of this period must have been satisfying for he remembered them with fondness. When he was still quite young, death struck the family again, this time leaving a young widow with eight fatherless children, but Grandmother was successful in keeping the family and the farm together.

Dad’s life reflected the influence of many forces and personalities in his earlier days — his elementary education at Kellas School, his secondary education at Bethel Academy and a wider circle of friends, his attendance at the First Mennonite Church, his baptism by Rev. John E. Entz, and his immediate family, especially his brother Jake, who assumed a fatherly role in his upbringing.

On Sept. 8, 1927, he married Matilda Wiebe of Paxton, Neb., and they lived on the home place east of Newton. After he changed occupations several years later, he suffered from tuberculosis which nearly took his life. But with mother’s tender love and care, the support of family and friends, and a long convalescence, he made a remarkable recovery. It was this experience, probably more than any other, that assured him of the truth of St. Paul’s words, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God and who are called for His purpose.”

Armed with this confidence, Dad and Mother were able to face the disappointments of life as well as enjoy its blessings. One of the former was the death of their infant daughter, Marilyn Ruth, in 1940. One of the many blessings was their silver wedding anniversary in 1952.

His health was interrupted by surgery in 1964, from which he recovered until late 1969. From then on, he spent much time in the hospital with repeated surgery and treatment. He was given Divine grace to bear this disappointment with courage and hope. Though death will always be an enemy until the resurrection, it performed a merciful role the evening of Nov. 6 by releasing him from his suffering and pain.

He leaves his wife Matilda; an only son Robert and wife Ruth, of Halstead; two grandsons, Bob Jr. and David; one brother, Herman; four sisters, Mrs. Marie Busenitz, Miss Louise Suderman, Mrs. Minnie Andres, and Miss Anna Suderman, all of Newton. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jake and Paul, and an only daughter, Marilyn Ruth.

Dad was not without his faults and his open, outgoing personality frequently left his weaknesses exposed. But he did not live his life with the hope that his goodness would outweigh the flaws and defects at the Divine bar of justice. All of his former Sunday school boys would agree that he firmly believed that only God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness can prepare a person for God’s Kingdom. How often have I heard Dad pray the prayer: “Christie blut und gerechtigkeit das ist mein schmuck und ehrenkleit, Damit will ich vor Gott bestehen wenn ich zum Himmel werde eingehen.”

We praise and thank God for his love and the faith of a “sinner saved by grace.” It was this faith that Dad coveted for his son, his loved ones, his Sunday school boys, and his grandsons. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1971 Dec 7 p. 736