Cremation has taken place. Funeral service with ashes present will be held at 4:00PM on Sunday October 2, 2022 at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church with ash interment a a later date. The family requests that masks be worn during the service. Peter L. Suderman, age 89 years of Winkler, formerly of Greenfarm, passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at the Boundary Trails Health Centre. Peter Lorence Suderman was born on Dec. 18, 1932, the fourth son and sixth child of David Suderman and Margaret Hoeppner Suderman of Greenfarm, MB. His arrival was a surprise for the family since he was the second of fraternal twin boys, when his mother had only expected one baby. He attended Greenfarm School until grade 9, when he started working on the farm with his dad. In his youth, he played alto horn in the Greenfarm Band and played catcher for the Kronsgart-Greenfarm Twins. He loved baseball and organized some family trips around Major League Baseball games and later was season ticket holder of the Winnipeg Goldeyes. In 1958, he married Magdalena (Meg) Ens of Reinland and they settled on the farm at 12-3-4 ne in the R.M. of Stanley. Three children joined the family by 1966. They raised sugar beets, sunflowers, flax, wheat, buckwheat, oats, and barley. Although they suffered some lean years, the only year of total crop failure was in the drought of 1988. Peter and Meg moved to Winkler in 1988 and he continued as a commuter farmer for several more years. He was involved with the Winkler-Plum Coulee Beet Growers Association and the Stanley Agricultural Society, where he served on the board for 31 years, 15 as president. In 1984, he took on the role of caretaker at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church, working many weekends at church events as well as cleaning that large complex every week. After retiring from that role, he took up a part-time job with Meridian Manufacturing, driving a pilot truck when the large bins were trucked to farms across the Prairies and southern Ontario. When six grandchildren were born in the space of five years, Peter transformed into an eager grandpa, enjoying the baby stage but also interacting with them as they grew into unique individuals. Peter was a member of Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church since his baptism in 1955. He sang in the choir, served as an usher, and on the finance and nominating committees and church council. He was elected as a deacon in his 70s, formalizing the role he had held for many years as a friendly ear to talk to over a cup of coffee. Peter and Meg travelled across Canada and the United States, western Europe, Brazil, China and made winter trips to the southern US and Jamaica. In 2005, he treated his kids and grandkids to a week at a resort in Cancun, Mexico, joking that he was spending their inheritance. Peter was a regular blood donor, reaching 101 donations. He weeded garden plots for Winkler Horticultural Society, served as president of the Oakview Terrace condo board and volunteered for MCC at its warehouse and thrift store. He loved playing cards and games with friends and family, often cheating openly with a big smile, but also winning his fair share. In November 2021, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a disease which made breathing difficult and eventually kept him tethered to an oxygen tank. Thank you to his doctors, palliative care team, homecare workers and hospital staff who made his last months and days more comfortable. Thanks also to the many friends and family members who visited and offered support over the last months. Peter L. Suderman was predeceased by his parents, sisters, Ella Hildebrand and Margaret Krahn, brothers, David and Abe and son-in-law, Bert Siemens. He is survived by his wife, Meg, children, Beverly Suderman-Gladwell and husband, Geoffrey, Brenda Suderman, Lyle Suderman and wife, Carol, sister, Doreen (Alvin) Hildebrand, brother, John, sisters-in-law, Tina and Meryth and six grandchildren: Hillary Siemens, Nathan Suderman-Gladwell, David Siemens, Asa Suderman-Gladwell, Kara Suderman and Nicole Suderman. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews and his Ens in-laws. Donations in honor of Peter may be made to Mennonite Central Committee’s Thanksgiving campaign. A contribution of $64.75 covers an emergency food basket containing rice, bulgur, macaroni, chickpeas, lentils, oil, sugar, salt, tea and tomato paste. All donations will be matched. |
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