Suderman, Alexander

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituaries: 1975 May 30 p. 26

Birth date: 1898 Oct 02

text of obituary:

ALEXANDER SUDERMAN

Alexander Suderman was born on October 2, 1898 to Frank and Katherina (nee Arndt) Suderman at Halbstadt, Russia, where he grew up and received his education. At the age of 18 he lost his father. His mother preceded him by four years.

During the chaotic political conditions following World War I two of his brothers were murdered and his life endangered. He and his brother William fled to the Crimea. There he met Mary Esau, whom he married several years later. They fled to the Caucasus, still pursued by the revolutionary movement.

While in the Caucasus, evangelistic meetings were conducted in the area. Realizing his spiritual depravity, he established a new relationship with Jesus Christ who became his Lord and Saviour. He was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren Church in Ebental in 1926. That same year they immigrated to Canada, settling in Stouville, Ontario. A year later they moved to the Port Rowan area, where he worked and farmed until his retirement.

Though the economic conditions were difficult in the early years, spiritual conditions were vital. Jesus Christ was Lord, and he expressed his devotion to him by ministering in word and song. On September 12, 1937 he was ordained to the diaconate, serving in this capacity until recently. He also served as Sunday school teacher.

As a father he was faithful to his family and taught the precepts of G0d's Word to the children. He prayed diligently that all his children and grandchildren would accept and serve the Lord.

The family was suddenly deprived of their mother on December 5, 1952. Her death was a tremendous loss. On June 6, 1953 he married Anne Teigrob Voth, who became his loving wife.

He passed away April 7, and was predeceased by his first wife Mary and his eldest daughter Agnes (Mrs. John) Esau in July, 1974. He leaves to mourn his wife Anna; three sons, Frank, Ralph and Alex Suderman; three daughters, Helen (Mrs. Henry) Klassen, Mary (Mrs. Jake) Petkau, and Elfrieda (Mrs. Jake) Thielmann; and 30 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Katherina Wiens of Kitchener and one in the USSR; as well as several nieces and nephews.