Margaret T. (Kurtz) Bischoff, the daughter of Michael and Frances (Schmidt) Kurtz, was born in rural Pierce County, North Dakota (near Orrin), home of her parents, on January 3, 1917.  She died at the age of 98 years on Sunday, July 26, 2015, at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

Margaret was reared in the home of her parents in rural Orrin and received her education in a country school near her home.  On October 24, 1938, she was united in marriage to Anthony “Tony” Bischoff at St. Anselm Catholic Church in Fulda, North Dakota.  Following their marriage, the couple made their home on a farm near Fulda.  In 1941 they purchased a farm in Reno Valley Township near Silva, North Dakota.  Here they farmed hand-in-hand and raised their family of five children.  In 1981, Margaret and Tony retired from farming and moved to Rugby.  In 2011, Margaret moved to the Haaland Estates and later needing more care, she made her home at the care center. 

Margaret was a former member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Fillmore and a current member of Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby where she also enjoyed being a member of Christian Mothers and the Little Flow Parish Ministry of Prayer.  As a member of the Rosary Club she made over 6000 rosaries.

Margaret enjoyed being a homemaker, caring for her family, cooking, gardening, canning, crocheting, crafts and bingo.  As a pass time Tony and Margaret would get together with friends to play “Blitz” and other card games.  Everyone knew when she brought out her little “shoe” coin purse what she had on her mind. 

Survivors include one son, Kenneth (Paula) of Devils Lake; four daughters, Irene Bischoff of Moorhead, Minnesota, Janice (Phillip) Heilman of Minot, Shirley (Roger) Hoffart of Argusville and Cindy (Terry) Lehman of Souris; 18 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Michael Kurtz of Devils Lake; one sister, Phyllis Miller of Brooklyn, Michigan; many nieces, nephews; other extended family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband; one grandson in infancy, Joel Bischoff; brothers, Tony, Frank and John Kurtz; sisters, Lena Black, Mary Ripplinger, Joann Nelson and Katherine Black Klein; two brothers in infancy; and her parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 30^th at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with burial in the church cemetery.  Fr. Tom Graner, Celebrant   

Visiting hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  There will be no reviewal in the Church.

Rosary, Vigil Prayers and sharing of memories will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.