Emma A. Hurd

AITKIN -- Emma Alina Hurd, 95, Aitkin, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2001, at her daughter's home near Aitkin.

She was born April 24, 1905, in Cloquet to Jerry and Lydia (Makela) Piispanen. She moved with her family to Nordland Township. She attended the White Oak School and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1924. She graduated from Duluth State Teachers College. She taught in rural schools in Aitkin County for 10 years. She married Walter Hurd on Feb. 21, 1938, in Aitkin. They farmed in Spencer Township and she worked as a home health nurse for three years. She was a member of the Golden Age Club and the Rossburg WELCA.

Survivors include two sons, Robert Hurd, Columbia Falls, Mont., and Gary Hurd, Libby, Mont.; a daughter, Elaine Hallbeck, Aitkin; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Piispanen, West Hills, Calif., and Roy Piispanen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and a sister, Elsa Clark, Mukilteo, Wash.

Her husband; five brothers, Leo, Lauri, Edward, Oto and Walter; and three sisters, Ellen Hurd, Hilda Elshire and Aili Way, died earlier.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin with the Rev. Otto Sotnak officiating. Burial will be in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery in Nordland Township of Aitkin.

Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. today at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin and an hour before services Monday at the funeral home.