noack was born in ribe, the daughter of merchant johan peter n. (1831-1911) og johanne metdine barkentin (1850-1913). ugift. she was the sister of theologian carl wulff noack. in 1902 noack went to copenhagen where she earned a living painting porcelain at the aluminia faience factory. she then attended vallekilde folk high school, specializing in sculpture and qualifying as an apprentice in 1910. she continued her studies there under ivar bentsen who exerted a considerable influence on her, together with other artists, especially joakim skovgaard, from the folk high school environment. in collaboration with skovgaard, she helped to decorate the ceiling of viborg cathedral (1948) working as a wood carver. there she also met niels larsen stevns and arne lofthus, both of whom encouraged her to work independently as a sculptor.