Surdam, T. Janet REV 1912-1990

SURDAM, MAHER

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/31/2011 at 04:44:04

A memorial service for the Rev. T. Janet Surdam was held Thursday, Dec. 27, 1:30 p.m., at Giard United Methodist Church. Interment in the Giard Cemetery was Wednesday, Dec. 26, 1990.

Janet Surdam was born Sept. 24, 1912, in Rochester, NY, to Arthur and Jennie Maher Surdam. She was educated at the University of Rochester and Scurritt College, KY. She died Dec. 20, 1990, at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital.

She and her partner, the Rev. Luella G. Koether, McGregor, were missionaries in West China from 1939-1944 during the Chinese-Japanese War and again from 1945-1950, experiencing the Communist take-over and being imprisioned for nearly seven months.

Returning home, Surdam and Koether were ordained United Methodist ministers. They served Riceville/Mclntire (1954-1962), Crystal Lake/Hayfield (1962-1965), Henderson Settlement, KY, (1965-1968), Cumberland/Pine Grove (1968-1974) and Giard (1974-1980).

They wrote two books about their China experiences-200 Days in 1952 and Janella Journal in 1980.Talented in music, Janet composed many religious songs including "This Is The Day," familiar in many United Methodist churches, and directed many adult and youth choirs. In 1979 she published There is Music Everywhere, a collection of 52 of her songs. She was also active as an ornithologist, botanist and a poet, and wrote religious materials in the Chinese language.

She and her partner were honored Nov. 5, 1989, by the Giard United Methodist Church for their 50 years of religious work together.

Thornburg Funeral Home, McGregor, was in charge of arrangements.

Copied from Clipping Collection of June Larson.