1/17/2009:
When William F. Kurke passed away on this date in 1965, North Dakota lost one its most influential architects.
In 1913, William Kurke founded the architectural firm, Kurke and Associates, in Fargo. Over the next half century, he designed familiar landmarks throughout North Dakota, including the Liberty Memorial Building and the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, and several buildings at the state hospital, NDSU and Minot Air Force Base.
When William retired, the work of Kurke and Associates continued through his son. John M. Kurke had studied architecture at the North Dakota Agricultural College and then worked for Boeing where he aided in the development of the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-29 Superfortress. Following WWII, John Kurke joined the family firm, and took over management when his father retired in 1958.
Written by Christina Sunwall
Sources:
"Kurke & Associates Collection", Institute for Regional Studies & University Archives, NDSU Libraries. http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndirs/collections/manuscripts/arch&hp/kurke/.
Kardong, Terrence G. Prairie Church: The Diocese of Bismarck 1910-1985. Richardton, ND: Assumption Abbey Press, 1985.