Murtfeldt was born in New York City on August 6, 1839 to Esther and Charles W. Murtfeldt. She grew up in
Rockford, Illinois but lived most of her adult life with her family in
Kirkwood, Missouri. She was partially paralysed by
polio in her youth and as a result her ability to walk was restricted. This interest was encouraged by the then Missouri state entomologist
Charles Valentine Riley who lived with the Murtfeldt family around 1870. She served in that position from 1880—1893. These specimens assisted
Samuel Mills Tracy when writing his
Flora of Missouri. Murtfeldt died at her home in Kirkwood on February 23, 1913. Several species have been named in her honor, including
Andricus murtfeldtae and
Caloptilia murtfeldtella. ==Works==