Donald George Hatten

1930 - 2024

Donald George Hatten

June 4, 1930 - September 27, 2024

Hatten, Schiltz.

U.S. Veteran.

Donald (Don) George Hatten, age 94, of Stacyville, Iowa died peacefully on September 27, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Don was born June 4, 1930 in Stacyville, Iowa to parents Edward Paul and Clara (Schiltz) Hatten and enjoyed childhood with two older brothers and one older sister. The family lived in Stacyville, where Don grew up working in the family hardware store and playing American Legion and high school baseball.

After graduation from Visitation High School, Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska while enrolled in Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

After graduating Creighton University in 1952, Don was commissioned a U.S. Army Second Lieutenant of Infantry at Ft. Benning, Georgia. In September 1953, Don was shipped out to serve in the Korean war and served through the end of the war in various distinguished assignments. Don returned to the U.S. and served in the Army Reserves for 12 years attaining the rank of Major.

In 1957, Don earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. After graduation, Don began an accomplished 30-year career with IBM, where he rose to become Director of Manufacturing for IBM's General Products Division. Don's leadership and accomplishments at IBM had worldwide economic and social impact.

While attending Creighton University, Don married Mildred (Hemrich) Hatten of Osage Iowa on March 26th, 1951. The couple divorced in 1971 on amicable terms and Don went on to remarry Betsy (Christie) Hatten in 1977.

After 14 years in the military and 36 years in industry, Don and Betsy Hatten retired to Penn Valley, California in 1997. In his retirement years, Don continued taking leadership roles including serving 26 years in the local Homeowners Association, serving on the Board of United Way and serving as a member of the County Grand Jury.

Don is survived by children Greg Hatten of Rochester, Minnesota, Renee Hatten-Montagne of Boise, Idaho, Mark Hatten of Fort Worth, Texas, Colette Maher of Melrose, Massachusetts, and stepson Scott Christie of South Venice, Florida. He is also survived by six grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Mildred, his second wife Betsy, his two brothers Cletus and Edward, and his sister Ramona.

Mass of Christian Burial for Donald George Hatten will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday June 7, 2025, at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, Iowa. Interment will follow in Visitation Catholic Cemetery with Stacyville American Legion Post 569 providing military honors.

All friends and family are invited to attend lunch after interment in the church hall and a Celebration of Life event after lunch. The Celebration of Life event will be held at the American Legion Hall, 107 East Main, Stacyville, Iowa.