Fred Hatten, age 97, of Bird Island, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at Cedar Crest of Cosmos.

Funeral Service will be Sunday, September 25, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Hector.

Interment in the Hector City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Hector.

Arrangements are with the Hughes-Hantge Funeral Chapel of Hector.

Fred Ambrose Hatten was born October 15, 1913 in Stewart, Minnesota, the son of Fred and Mary (Collier) Hatten. He was baptized on November 9, 1913 at the St. Boniface Church in Stewart. Fred attended school in Stewart. After finishing school, he worked for his dad hauling fuel with two horses and a wagon, and he also worked for area farmers for several years. Fred also served with the Civilian Conservation Corps.

On August 11, 1954, Fred was united in marriage to Doris Peterson in Stewart. The couple made their home and farmed south of Hector until 1961 when they bought a farm north of Bird Island. They spent their married life there farming together. Besides farming, Fred worked for the ASCS Office measuring land and bins in his younger years. Later, he kept busy mowing township road ditches.

Fred and Doris’ marriage was blessed with two children, Debra and Grant. In the early 1960s, Fred joined First Lutheran Church in Hector, and was active on the Church Council, as an usher, with the Men’s Club, and was also involved with the Easter morning breakfasts. Fred spent numerous years on the Osceola Township Board as secretary.

Fred had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed showing his chickens, which enabled them to travel. He liked to work in their garden, and also go fishing. He enjoyed making pies. Fred and Doris enjoyed ballroom dancing, and they belonged to several card clubs. Fred loved his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Fred became a resident at Cedar Crest of Cosmos in October of 2007. He passed away there in the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 21, 2011, a few weeks short of his 98th birthday. Blessed be his memory.

Fred is survived by his daughter, Deb Gertner and her husband Brad of Westbrook, Minnesota;
Son Grant Hatten and his wife Jullie of Stewart, Minnesota;  Grandchildren: Corey (Liz) Gertner, Kyle Gertner, and Lindsey Harms; Step-Grandchildren; Nick Kettner, Nathan Kettner, Ben Kettner, and Raquel Brunson;  Great-Grandchild: Hayden Harms; Six Step-Great-Grandchildren; Sister Adeline DeMuth of of Hutchinson; Sisters-in-Law Arlys Palmer of Fairfax, Minnesota, and Vivian (Myron) Schroeder of Fairfax, Minnesota; and by numerous Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Wife Doris, Sisters Maude Sontag and Mae (Bob) Savidige, Brother Marion (Freida) Hatten, and by Nephews and his Niece.