Suderman, Clara Amelia Eymann (1874-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 24 Aug p. 4

Birth date: 1874

text of obituary:

NEWTON and VICINITY

-- Funeral services were held at the Moody's Funeral chapel Sunday afternoon for Mrs. Clara A. Suderman, 76, wife of Rev. J. M. Suderman, who passed away on Friday at the Bethel Deaconess hospital. Following the services here, conducted by Dr. J. H. Langenwalter of the Bethel College congregation, the body was sent to Reedley, Calif. for further services and burial. Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Daniel of Newton and Wilfred of Los Angeles, as well as two sisters and three brothers, all of California.

26 Oct 1950 p. 7

MRS. CLARA SUDERMAN

Clara Amelia Suderman, nee Eymann, was borne near Franklin, in Lee county, Iowa on August 17, 1874. In 1881, when she was seven years of age, the family left the home in Iowa and came to Kansas, settling on a farm in Harvey county, near the town of Moundridge. Here she spent her youthful years and obtained her early education. Later between 1884 and 1895, she spent one year as a student at Bethel college near Newton, Kansas.

In the fall of 1888 she, together with a group of other young folks of the community, took catechetical instruction under the Rev. William Galle and on January, 1889, upon her confession of faith in Jesus and her acceptance of Him as her personal Savior, she was baptized and became a member of the Garden Township Mennonite church. In her diary she refers to this event by saying: "I gave my heart to the Savior when I was fifteen year of age."

During her stay at Bethel college she became acquainted with her future husband, who was also enrolled there at that time. On May 20, 1900, they were united in the bonds of holy matrimony.

Their first home was established at Lehigh, Kansas, but in 1904 they transferred their residence to Reedley, Calif., where they lived until 1908. At this time they felt called to dedicate their lives to full-time service for the Lord.

In preparation for this work they spent five years in study. Mr. Suderman taking a seminary course and also doing some work at the university, while Mrs. Suderman took selected studies at the seminary. The first three years were spent at Berkeley, Calif., and the last two at Rochester, New York. Upon completion of this period of preparation they received a call from the West Zion Mennonite church at Moundridge, Kansas to serve with the Gospel ministry.

In 1920 a call came to Mr. Suderman from Bethel college to accept a position on the faculty of that institution, and this resulted in the establishment of their home on the college campus. In 1933 they moved to Buhler, Kansas in response to a call from the Buhler Mennonite church to serve again with the Gospel ministry. This service was interrupted in the fall of 1938 by a heart ailment which Mr. Suderman developed and in consequence of which they had to give up the Gospel ministry. They then acquired a home at Newton, Kansas and were living there when the deceased was called to her heavenly home.

They were permitted to share the joys and sorrows of life for a little more than fifty years. During much of this time Mrs. Suderman was in poor health, suffering from a chronic intestinal ailment. In later years other complications set in which aggravated her condition and increased her suffering. But in spite of her ailing physical condition she was always ready and willing to share the duties and responsibilities of life and to give to her family, her church and her community the best service that she was capable of rendering. She made friends easily, and many of them were helped and blessed through their contact with her.

The union was blessed with two sons, John Wilfred, who was born in 1911, and Daniel Arthur, born in 1913.

Of her it can be said that she was first of all a sincere and devout Christian. She loved her Lord and her constant ambition was to follow Him closely and to let Him use her for His honor and glory. As a church member she was faithful in attending the service in the house of God and in doing whatever was expected of her in furthering the work of church. As a companion and aid to her husband she was steadfast and never tired of standing by him and encouraging him.

The last few years of her life were hard years for her because her health declined more and more. During most of the time since July, 1949 she was confined to bed, and repeatedly, for weeks at a time, she suffered intensely. Through prayer she obtained strength to bear her suffering from day to day, and she longed for the moment when she would be relieved. She also appreciated very much to know that many of her relatives and friends were remembering her in their prayers. Unexpectedly, on August the 16, she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and on August 18, at 11:36 a. m. she quietly slipped away to be forever with the Lord. Her age at the time of her departure was 76 years and one day.

She leaves to mourn her passing her sorrowing husband, her two sons, and their wives, four grandchildren, two sisters, three brothers and one sister-in-law, and all their families; also many other relatives, and a large host of friends.

A brief service was held at the Moody Funeral Home at Newton on Sunday afternoon, after which her earthly remains were taken to Reedley, California for interment. Here another service was held in the First Mennonite church on Thursday, August 24, and then she was laid to rest in the family lot of the Reedley cemetery. Her life as well as her testimony gave unmistakable evidence of her assurance of eternal salvation. -- The Family.