Hilda Sudermann Martin

M. Hilda Sudermann Martin, 98, of Goshen, died late Tuesday evening, March 30, 2010, at Greencroft Healthcare.  She had been in declining health the last 3 years. She was born on January 14, 1912 in Hesston, Kansas, to Thomas L. and Nancy R. (Schrock) Byler.  She married Jacob Sudermann on August 27, 1933 in Finney County, Kansas.  He died April 1980.  She then married Ellis Martin on July 17, 1982 in Elkhart.  He died April 6, 1992. Also surviving are a daughter, Annemarie Sudermann of Berkeley, California; two sons, Paul K. (Beth) Sudermann of Sarasota, Florida, and David P. (Mary Cisar) Sudermann of Northfield, Minnesota; three granddaughters, Hannelore, Rachel L. and Martha A. Sudermann; two sisters, Nadine E. (Jon Michael) Yoder of Conyers, Georgia and Rachel Powell of Wellman, Iowa; and a brother, Robert Byler of Mesa, Arizona. She was preceded in death by a son, John J. Sudermann, and five brothers, Vernon T., John D., Rolland R., Glen R. and Gerald Byler. Hilda attended Goshen College Academy from 1927-1929.  She also studied at Garden City Jr. College and Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. She was a member of College Mennonite Church, Goshen; Matinee Musicale Club; Indiana Music Teachers’ Association, Mennonite Mission Network Auxiliary, and Evergreen Singers.  She also served on various Greencroft Committtees. She taught school in the Pawnee Valley, Kansas, before moving to this area in the 1940’s.  She was a piano teacher to over 400 college students and children in the Goshen and Elkhart communities.  Hilda devoted her creative energies to her family, her piano students, her friends, drawing, painting, baking, sewing, nurturing plants and the two churches she served. In 1948 she won the Betty Crocker “Homemaker of the Week” contest with a rhubarb meringue pie recipe. Friends may call 3-6 p.m., Friday, April 2, in the Koinonia Room at College Mennonite Church, Goshen. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 3, 2010, at College Mennonite Church with Pastor Klaudia Smucker officiating. Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Board of Missions or Goshen College Music Department.