Obituary of Marjorie Hagenberger

Marjorie Hagenberger, a retired Florida school teacher, and a long time resident of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully at age 105 on February 2, 2017 at the Indian River Center in Melbourne where she had resided for the last six years. She truly enjoyed her years of teaching grade school children both on Long Island and in Florida. She was a wonderful story-teller. Marjorie was the eldest daughter of Ludwig and Berta Katterfeld from Hempstead, Long Island. She was a graduate of Hunter College and received her Masters degree from Hofstra University on Long Island. She was predeceased by her husband John Hagenberger whom she married in 1937 and her sister Louise Alexander from Atlanta, Georgia. She is survived by her sister Freda Keller of Scotia, New York and her brothers Tom Katterfeld from Merrick, New York and William Katterfield from Naples, Florida. She is also survived by her two children, Cheryl Bancroft from San Francisco and John Hagenberger of Melbourne and three grandchildren; Jennifer Serpan (Michael) from Danville, California, James Bancroft (Christa) from Culver city, California and Jessica Braun (Michael) from Arlington Heights, Illinois. In addition she had eight great grandchildren; Josephine, Genna and David Serpan; Kate and Theo Bancroft and Sophia, Samantha and Gordon Braun. Her family will miss her terribly and remember her strong spirit, quick wit, sharp mind, and her quest for adventure. Her independent spirit provided a role model for all encouraging us to speak our minds, think critically and tell a good story. Her frequent letters to the editor typed on her little black Smith-Corona typewriter reflected her intense interest in politics. Widowed at an early age she moved eighteen times looking for the"perfect" city to live in, finally settling in Melbourne. Her love of adventure took her to Europe and practically every state in America. She lived in Illinois, Washington, New York, Kansas, Ohio, Connecticut, Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico and Florida. Usually wherever she landed in a new city, members of her family would join her for a visit. May she rest in peace.