Nancy Rae Hatten

Nancy Rae Hatten passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Christ Center Church, 810 Northview Drive, Hudson, WI.

Nancy was born in Minneapolis on February 22, 1944. She grew up in Osakis, MN and her family moved to Hoyt Lakes, MN when she was in high school. After graduating from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes high school, Nancy moved to Minneapolis and attended the Minneapolis Art Institute.

Nancy met Russell Hatten and they were married on December 7, 1963, at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. They were happily married for 60 years. When asked for the secret to their successful marriage, Nancy would say “We didn’t quit on each other at the same time.” She often said she married well.

Nancy was a homemaker and avid artisan. She never met a power tool she didn’t like. She was quick to share her many gifts and talents to bless others. After raising four children, she worked at First Bank in Private Banking. At age 50, Nancy achieved her dream of being a flight attendant when she was hired by Sun Country Airlines. Nancy managed unruly passengers by telling them “You’re not gonna give a Grama a hard time, are you?” Nancy enjoyed traveling and meeting people from around the world.

Nancy’s faith was the foundation of her life. She would often ask people if they knew Jesus as their savior. She taught Children’s Church, played guitar, and was actively involved with the “Classics” senior group. Beginning in 1978, Nancy and Russell did many missionary trips together to the Philippines, and also to South Africa, Honduras and Haiti.

Nancy had several sports cars and a motorcycle. She could still do the splits into her 70s. She had a lifelong love of chocolate which she was sometimes willing to share. She learned American Sign Language. And in recent years, she often signed “I Love You” to friends and family. She enjoyed mystery books, crossword puzzles, and playing Solitaire on her Kindle.

At age 70, Nancy was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and retired from Sun Country. She faced her diagnosis bravely but privately. Nancy also survived breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Nancy had an adventurous soul, fearless spirit, and genuine heart. Mostly she will be remembered for her elegance, grace and gentle demeanor.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Russell F. Hatten; sister, Ruth A. Lukkari; brother, Patrick S. Robinson; children, Tamara Hatten of Wadsworth, IL, Mark Hatten of Burnsville, MN, Heidi (Jaime Hernandez) Hatten of Chicago, IL, Timothy (Holly) Hatten of Lakeland Shores, MN; grandchildren, Graison (Soraya) Dangor of Brooklyn, NY, Loren Hatten of Minneapolis, MN, Madeleine (Louis) Samuels of Louisville, KY, Claudia (Alex Straus) Africano of Chicago, IL, Marcello Africano of Chicago, IL, Asconio Africano of Chicago, IL; great grandchildren, Annalyn Samuels, Russell Samuels; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews as well as several fur grandkids and one hedgehog.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Thelma (Lyng) Robinson; her brother, Timothy George Robinson; her sister, Peggy Jane Kamholz.

Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to: National MS Society, Alzheimer’s Association, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.