Emma Kurtz, 94, McClusky, ND died Sunday, July 1, 2012 at the Turtle Lake Hospital.

Her wishes were to donate her body to the University Of North Dakota Medical School in Grand Forks with no funeral services.

Interment will be held at a later date in the medical schools cemetery plot in Grand Forks.

Emma was born on January 6, 1918 on the family farm south of Mercer, ND. She was the daughter of Adolph and Magdalena (Singer) Bender. She grew up there and married Christian Schell. They had two children, Phyllis and Dale. Emma was later married to Arthur Noga and Leo Kurtz. Emma received her Beautician's license and owned and operated beauty salons in Detroit, Michigan and South Gate, California. She returned to North Dakota in 1977 and lived in Bismarck. She later moved to McClusky and lived in the Sheridan Memorial Home before moving into long term care at Turtle Lake Hospital.

Emma was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in McClusky.

Emma is survived by her daughter, Phyllis (Arlington) Helm of McClusky; son, Dale Schell, Apache Junction, Arizona; 6 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Sandy Schell; brothers, Otto and John Bender; sister Martha Fischer.

Memorials are preferred to St. John's Lutheran Church, McClusky, ND.


Hertz Funeral Home, McClusky.