Elga (Brown) Suderman

Elga Suderman

Elga Suderman, 89, lifelong Newton resident, died Friday (May 8, 1998) at Newton Presbyterian Manor.Suderman was born Sept. 22, 1908 in Newton to William J. and Nellie Brown. She married John C. Suderman on Aug. 17, 1934 in Newton. He died Feb. 24, 1995.

Suderman was a member of Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, the Newton Civic Chorus and Orchestra Association, the Treble Clef Club of Newton and the Bethel College Women's Association of North Newton.

A graduate of Newton High School, she attended Bethel College and Wichita University. She began her career as a pianist for silent movies at the Regent Theater. She accompanied services at First Methodist Church and the Bethel College Mennonite Church.

She was the assistant director of the Bethel College Mennonite Church Junior Choir and taught Sunday School.

Suderman was active in Girl Scouts since 1934, serving many different positions including troop leader. She helped found the Four Winds Girl Scout Council, where she served as first treasurer and second president. She traveled extensively to speak about scouting. She was honored in 1996 with a 60-year participation award.

Suderman was active on the advisory group for the Newton Library Board, working for the passage of the bond issue for the new library, serving as public relations chairman.

She was also an active member of the Junior Auxiliary of the Bethel Deaconess Hospital, serving as chairman of the 1963 fund raising drive for the modernization of the hospital.

An avid golfer, she was a member of the former Newton Country Club. She played once or twice a week until she retired from the game at the age of 83.

She was the Newton "Woman of the Year" in 1962.

She is survived by two sons, James H. Suderman of Baldwin City and John R. Suderman of Newton; a daughter, Sally S. Osgood of Denver; 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers.

Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Bethel College Mennonite Church, officiated by Rev. Darrell Fast. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

Calling times are 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton. Memorials are suggested to the Presbyterian Manor Employee's Fund, the Girls Scouts of America or the Bethel College Endowment Fund in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home.