Donald George Hatten

 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 (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 Batchelor of Science degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska while enrolled in Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. After graduating Creighton in 1952, Don was commissioned a US 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. 

Don is survived by children, Greg Hatten of Rochester MN, Renee Hatten Montagne of Boise, Idaho, Mark Hatten of Fort Worth, Texas, Colette Maher of Melrose, Massachusetts, and stepchild, 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 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.