Lucille E. (Erickson) Katzenberger

Lucille E. Katzenberger, nee Erickson, born at home in North Muskegon, MI on February 9, 1920, died at home in Albuquerque, NM on April 20, 2018. She was the eighth of eleven children born to Maude Emmeline Covell and Iver Frank Erickson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E Katzenberger, Sr., whom she married on September 26, 1946. She is survived by her four children, Ed, Kathryn, Karen, Joe and one son-in-law, Henry; seven grandchildren, Karina, Brianna, Charles, Kate, Andrea, Amari and Isaac; and three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Payce and Kennedy. Dear to her heart were Betty, Micky and Kellam.

As one of “The Greatest Generation” she migrated to Albuquerque early in 1942. Her training as a secretary/administrative assistant led to her first career as a Civil Service Employee at Kirtland Army Air Force Base and then at Sandia. She left the work force to raise her family when Ed was born in 1952. While raising her children and caring for her husband she volunteered at her church, with the Cub Scouts and Brownies, the PTA and other civic organizations.

Her second career began in the mid 60’s. Her volunteer work at First Presbyterian Church morphed in 1968 to a full-time job as the secretary/administrative secretary to the Director of Christian Education. When she retired in 2003 she said this, “I can’t believe I worked there for 35 years! But I loved my work and the many people who came and went.”

Lucille lived a long and full life helping others, working in her garden and yard, sewing, knitting, cooking, and baking. She was famous for her Christmas Peanut Brittle. She was an avid bridge player and was always reading. Though kind of heart, she often lost perspective. Especially with those closest to her.

The family thanks the staff of Heritage Home Health Care and Heritage Hospice for their kind care for Lucille.

Her ashes were placed with those of her husband, Charles, in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM on Thursday, May 24, 2018. A “Service of Witness to the Resurrection” will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. This celebration of her life and faith is at First Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque. The service will be followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to Lucille’s beloved “A Child’s Garden” Preschool. Designate your gift “for tuition support”. The mailing address is: 215 Locust St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. (505) 764-2920. Visit www.achildsgardenabq.org/community/giving for more information.

FRENCH – University

1111 University Blvd. NE

(505) 843-6333