Herbert Suderman

  • Herbert Suderman
  • Date of Passing: November 3, 2020
  • Born: January 27, 1944

Obituary

Herb was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on January 27, 1944 to John & Mary Suderman. He had two younger sisters, Eleanor & Marlene. He grew up in the North Kildonan area of Winnipeg, where both of his grandparents lived down the street. He started school in the post-war baby boom at Lord Kitchener Elementary School and then continued to Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute (MBCI) for grades 7-12.

Herb’s love for music started when he was young. He began piano lessons when he was 7 or 8 and played for a good number of years. He started going to the symphony already in high school and got student tickets to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He had season tickets throughout university, and this continued for many years after. He also enjoyed singing in the Mennonite Oratorio Choir and church choirs.

Herb was baptized in July of 1960 at Birds Hill Park and he then became a member of the North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church. His faith and church attendance and involvement were important to him all his life.

Herb spent many years as a university student. He went to the University of Manitoba and received a bachelor’s degree in history. He graduated from law school in 1972 and then articled at Newman MacLean law firm, where he became an associate and then later a partner.

Herb met Karin in 1965 at a mutual cousin’s party. They started dating soon after that and continued dating for the next 2 years. They got engaged in June 1967 and then married on May 16, 1968. Their first daughter, Kelly, was born in 1972, Heather was born in 1976, and Tiffany in 1980.

Herb & Karin joined the River East MB Church in 1969 and were members there for 20 years. Then, they moved to McIvor MB Church and attended for over 20 years. In 2016 they moved their membership to Steinbach MB Church and joined a care group.

Herb served on many boards over the years including the board of MBCI, the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools, McIvor MB Church, Canadian MB Conference, and the Board of Sarah Riel House.

Herb retired from his law practice in 2011, after almost 40 years of being a lawyer. He spent his early years doing a lot of family law but preferred to do commercial/real estate law at Taylor McCaffrey law firm. He was known to be a reasonable lawyer who was personable and a good listener.

Herb lived for over 20 years with Parkinson’s disease. He managed well for the first dozen years but started to decline in 2014 and moved into a care home the following year. He moved to his permanent care home at Bethesda Place in Steinbach in 2016. Karin also moved to Steinbach at this time.

Herb’s time in Steinbach & Bethesda was positive. He was happy to have family close by and celebrated numerous occasions, including his 50th wedding anniversary. The Covid-19 pandemic this year was hard on Herb, both physically and mentally. Weeks of isolation from family in spring, followed by an outbreak in his care home from August to October, all contributed to rapidly declining health in end-stage Parkinson’s. The last weeks meant lots of time visiting with Karin, and daughters Tiffany, Heather, and Kelly. It was difficult for the rest of the family to not be able to see him in person, but a few window visits made it more bearable. Herb passed peacefully into Glory on an unseasonably warm, sunny November afternoon.

He will be dearly missed by wife Karin; daughter Kelly, husband Shawn, and granddaughters Sofia and Indra; daughter Heather, husband Greg, granddaughters Hannah and Bethany and grandson Aaron; daughter Tiffany, husband Dave, and sons Tomas, Cayden, Zachary, Carson, Benjamin, Ethan and Wesley. Also missed by sister Eleanor, husband Barry; sister Marlene, husband Marvin and family; Karin’s siblings and families as well.

He is predeceased by parents John and Mary Suderman and grandson Nathan.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 ESV

A private family service will be available via livestream. Visit the Birchwood website for details.

A private family burial will take place at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

Donations in memory of Herb may be made to Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine.

Funeral Details

Cemetery

  • Heritage Cemetery
  • Loewen Boulevard, Steinbach
  • Directions: (Google Map)

Arrangements

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