Harriet M. Kurtz, age 91, of Elkton, SD passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the Brookings Hospital. Harriet was born February 13, 1922 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Ralph A. and Frances (Beidinger) Craig. After the family moved to Columbus, NE, Harriet attended and graduated St. Bonaventure Catholic School. Ralph, a Union Pacific Railroad brakeman then conductor, relocated Frances (Frankie) and four girls to Omaha where Harriet excelled, completed secretary/stenographer coursework, went to work for the UP Railroad, and in 1944 met Sgt. Lawrence E. Kurtz whom she married on November 30, 1944 in Omaha, NE. A daughter, Leslie, was born to the couple in 1945. The young family entered military life moving from Nebraska to Colorado Springs then to Panama. In 1947 after the Department of the Air Force was created, Harriet entered civil service in the stenographer's pool where she enjoyed a top security clearance. A transfer sent the family to Castle Air Force Base and in 1954 a son, Larry, was born. The birth of the Strategic Air Command near the Union Pacific rail head took the family back to Nebraska where daughter Lynn was delivered. In 1958, CMsgt. and Mrs. Kurtz moved the family to Torrejon Air Force Base near Madrid, Spain where they remained until 1961. When the family wasn't exploring Western Europe, Harriet managed the household while Lawrence was attaché to the Inspector General of the Air Force. Harriet returned with her family to the United States, and in 1962 after Lawrence's retirement from the Service, a city girl became a farm wife near Elkton, South Dakota. In 1964 she elected to become a high school teacher, enrolled at South Dakota State College and graduated in 1968. Harriet taught Spanish and English at Lake Benton High School just across the state line in Minnesota until her retirement. A devout lifetime Catholic, Harriet co-authored a comprehensive history of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish. She was very proud of that accomplishment. In 1979 Lawrence and Harriet built a house in Elkton, sold the farm in 1984 then took to the road and traveled the United States extensively until 1995. The couple loved parties and friends and hosted many gatherings. Harriet played bridge until her eye sight failed.

She is survived by daughter Leslie (David) Leech, Elkton; son, Larry, Santa Fe, New Mexico; son-in-law David Larson, Flandreau; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a sister Lizabeth Craig, Omaha, NE. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence (April 19, 2010), daughter, Lynn, her parents and two sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 Saturday, June 29, 2013 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Elkton with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Elkton. Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 pm Friday at Skroch Funeral Chapel with a 7:00 pm Parish Rosary.