Horch-Falk, Viola (1935-1968)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1968 May 9 p. 3

Birth date: 1935 Feb 09

text of obituary:

Taught at Goshen College

Singer, Mother of Four Dies in Highway Crash

Goshen, Ind. — Funeral services for Mrs. Viola (Horsch) Falk, 33, part time voice instructor at Goshen College and one of four persons killed in area highway accidents in a recent three-day period, were conducted April 30 in the Goshen College Church-Chapel.

David Falk, associate professor of music at the college and director of the Chamber Choir, was critically injured in the April 26 crash which took the life of Mrs. Falk. He was reported in fair condition but improved at Elkhart General Hospital.

The couple were returning home from South Bend in the evening when their car was hit head-on west of Elkhart by a South Bend motorist, who died later.

Mr. and Mrs. Falk, both talented musicians, came to Goshen three years ago after having completed four years of study in music at Detmold, Germany. As a concert soloist, Mrs. Falk had won numerous awards for her singing and had been featured a number of ties over the Canadian Broadcasting System.

A native of Winnipeg, she was a graduate of the M. B. Collegiate Institute therre and a member of the North Kildonan M. B. Church. Surviving in addition to her husband are four children ages three to 12, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Horch of Winnipeg, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Hiebert of Reedley, Calif.

Officiating at her funeral were President Paul E. Mininger and Rev. John H. Mosemann. The Chamber Choir sang two numbers under the direction of Prof. Mary Oyer.

Instantly killed in a crash on US-20 near Shipshewana early Sunday April 28, were Mrs. Lester Christy, 58, and her sister, Mrs. Clara Lela Young, 51, both of Middlebury. A third sister in the car was seriously injured as were two men in the van which went out of control and overturned in front of the auto driven by Mr. Christy.

The sisters were natives of Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Christy is president of Keene Metal Products Co., Middlebury. Double funeral services were conducted May 1 at the Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church near Middlebury, with Rev. Floyd Quenzer, the pastor, officiating.

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Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1965 May 17 p. 17

text of obituary:

VIOLA HORCH-FALK

Viola Horch-Falk, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 9, 1935, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Horch. She died April 26, 1968.

She completed her high school education at the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute and attended United College in Winnipeg for two years. Her musical education began on the violin at the age of six in Los Angeles, California. Upon returning to Winnipeg she took private instruction in both piano and voice, and after marriage she, together with her husband, participated in an intensive four-year musical training program at the Music Academy in Detmold, Germany.

Professionally, Viola taught nursery school at the Neighborhood Service Centres and later gave private vocal instruction. Next to her responsibility as a wife and mother, she considered her role as a concert artist her most worthwhile contribution.

At the age of 12 she was baptized upon confession of faith and accepted into the membership of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg. During her stay there she introduced children's choirs as a part of the church program.

In 1955 Viola was married to David Falk. They had known each other ever since they had attended kindergarten together. To this union four children were born - Esther, Jonathan, Stephen, and Thomas.

Viola died suddenly in a car accident near Goshen, April 26.

Viola was a contagiously exuberant person whose buoyant spirit will live long in the memory of a wide circle of family and friends. Her sensitivity and spiritual concern for others led her to give freely of all that she had, including her time and talent.

Note: obituary includes photo