Saturday, January 18, 2025
Donald (Don) George Hatten, age 94, of Stacyville, Iowa, died peacefully Sept. 27, 2024, in Fort Worth.
Mass of Christian Burial for Donald G. Hatten will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, Iowa. The burial will follow in Visitation Catholic Cemetery with Stacyville American Legion Post 569 providing military honors.
Don was born June 4, 1930 in Stacyville, Iowa to parents Edward Paul and Clara (Schilz) 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 Officer Training Corps. After graduating Creighton in 1952, Don was commissioned a U.S. Army second lieutenant of infantry at Fort 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 Reserve for 12 years, attaining the rank of major.
In 1957, Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree 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 26, 1951. The couple divorced in 1971 on amicable terms and Don went on to remarry Betsy (Christie) Hatten in 1977.
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.
Don is survived by children, Greg Hatten of Rochester, Minnesota, Renee Hatten Montagne of Boise, Idaho, Mark Hatten of Fort Worth, Colette Maher of Melrose, Massachusetts, and stepchild, Scott Christie of South Venice, Florida. He is also survived by six grandchildren.
