Dr. Carla Josephine Hattan

Carla Josephine Hattan passed away March 30, 2025, at her home after complications from a decade long battle with Dementia/Alzheimer's disease.

She was born in Hays, Kansas to aLyle and Mary Jo (Wolf) Stroup on September 6, 1957.

Carla spent a large portion of her childhood in Alberta Province, Canada, but also in Kansas, Texas and Wyoming, moving to Hays, Kansas when she was a freshman in high school. Carla graduated from Hays High School in 1975. She graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a master's degree in counseling. She earned a Ph.D. from Kansas State University in counselor education.

Carla taught at TMP-Marian High School before becoming the guidance counselor at Ness City High School. She started working at Fort Hays State University in 1987. She served as assistant director of placement and development and assistant director of the Kelly Center prior to joining the teaching faculty in the Administration and Counseling Education Department. She was the first instructor to use blackboard online learning at Fort Hays State University. She was named Kansas Counselor Educator of the year and also National Counselor Educator of the year. She was a member of the first Leadership Hays class. She also served on the United Way Board of Directors. Upon her retirement, she was named Professor Emeritus at Fort Hays State University. An award in the counselor education department was named in her honor, known as the Carla Hattan Outstanding Student Award.

Carla married Dr. Michael Hattan on June 28, 1986. To this union two children were born, Holly Muriel and Ross Michael. Carla was a great lover of animals and always had multiple pets. She enjoyed going to all her children's activities and her life revolved around her children. Carla was also very talented. In her younger years she played guitar at Guitar Masses and was choreographer one year for "Sweet and Sour Krauts" variety show. She also enjoyed traveling, going on many trips throughout the years. Carla was a very kind, caring, loving individual who definitely cared about people.

Carla is survived by her husband Mike, daughter Holly (Dalton) Converse, Manhattan, Kansas, son Ross Hattan, Wichita, Kansas, granddaughter Elayna Converse, her mother, Mary Jo Stroup, one sister Lila (Ron) Nelson, two brothers Tony Stroup and Paul (Sara) Stroup, all of Hays, several nieces and nephews.

Carla was preceded in death by her father Lyle Stroup and infant brother Daniel and niece Laura Stroup.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to: A Different Mindset Association, in care of the funeral chapel – please make checks out to the association or donate online via: https://www.adiffmindsetassoc.org/ 

Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, April 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601, burial will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery - Hays. 

Viewing and Visitation will be Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 5 PM to 8 PM at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel, 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601.

Services in care of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel, 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601.

Please share memories with the family on Carla’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com