Emma Kathryn Henkel

Emma Kathryn Feldkircher Henkel, 95, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon November 24, 2014 at Marquis Assisted Living in Tualatin, Oregon. Her family was at her bedside during her final hours. She was born October 16, 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio with a BS in Music Education in 1943, and from Saginaw Valley University in Saginaw, Michigan with an MA in Education in 1974. She had a long and renowned career in Music Education and as vocalist, pianist, organist and choir director. She served in these capacities in Nashville, Tennessee, New York City and with her husband, Pastor Robert L. Henkel, for Lutheran congregations in Indianapolis, Indiana; Eugene, Oregon; Brockville, Ontario, Canada; Vienna, West Virginia; Saginaw, Michigan; and Stayton, Oregon. She also tutored numerous voice and piano students throughout her working career and even into retirement.

Kay’s life was truly dedicated to music, her strong Christian faith, and her family. She sang in her church choir and played piano since the age of 5. She played several different instruments and sang with her sisters in church and many other venues. She was hired as a staff vocalist for WSM radio in Nashville from 1943 to 1947. She moved to New York City in 1947 to pursue a professional career in music. She met her husband, Robert in New York City in 1947. They were both vocalists (Kay a soloist) in the choir at St. George’s Episcopal Church. They were married September 9, 1948 in Nashville, Tennessee. They raised their four children as they continued vocalizing, playing and performing everywhere they lived in churches, operatic societies, community choirs, and thespian organizations. Kay has performed as a soloist in many productions of religious, spiritual and classical music around the United States, Canada, and in Europe, and performed major roles in local theatrical productions around the country of Mirror in the Sky, Show Boat, Oklahoma, Pajama Game, Three Penny Opera, The Sound of Music, and others.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert Louis Henkel, her father, Albert Louis Feldkircher; her mother Freda Elizabeth Binder; her sisters Rita Joan Feldkircher and Lois Alberta Feldkircher Gross.

Kay is survived by her 4 children and their spouses: Richard and Margaret Henkel of Tualatin, David and Ginger Henkel of Stayton, Paul and Ila Henkel of Mesquite, Nevada, and Amy and Doug Daskalos of Troutdale; 12 grandchildren: Laura Reiser, Chris, Alex, Jordan, Mariah Coffey, Conrad, and Nathan Henkel; Christianna Henkel, Jered, Mary Allison, and Elizabeth Tadina; and Lucas Daskalos; and three great-grandchildren, Ella Kathryn, Caleb James, and Scarlett Ophelia; sisters Martha Hartje, and Freda Christ; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 5, 2014 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 198 Fern Ridge Road SE, in Stayton, OR 97383. Questions regarding services can be directed to 503-769-6144. Memorial donations may be made to the Emma Kathryn Henkel Piano and Music Fund (at Living Savior Lutheran Church, 8740 SW Sagert St, Tualatin, OR 97062), or to Calvary Lutheran Church. Arrangements are by Young’s Funeral Home, Tigard, OR.