Hatten, DeAnna K. 1940-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

DeAnna “Dee” Kay Hatten, 85, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. She was born July 14, 1940, to Don E. and Fern (Polston) Williams, in Lucerne, Missouri.

She grew up in New Hampton, Missouri, then graduated from Southwest Harrison High School in Bethany, Missouri. It was there that she met her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Bob Hatten. The two wed on June 21, 1959, and shared 66 years of marriage.

Dee and Bob eventually settled down in St. Joseph. After the children were older, Dee put her Gard Business School certificate to work as a secretary for Farmhouse Fraternity, then later she was an executive secretary for the city manager at City Hall, first for Elaine Greer, then for several others. She retired from City Hall, but it was not long before Patt Lilly called her from the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, asking her to return to her secretarial post, which she did.

She was a longtime member of Ashland United Methodist Church, where she loved singing in the choir for years, and the PEO Sisterhood.

Dee enjoyed her flower garden and scrapbooking, and absolutely loved spending time with her “grands” and “greats.”

She was a loving wife and Nana, who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Brad Hatten; and brother, Mark Williams.

Survivors include her husband, Bob; sons, Steve Hatten and Phil Hatten (Jennifer); grandchildren, Lauren, Julia, Ashley, Amber, Jaycie, and Phillip; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Charlie, Luke, Addie, Brinley, and Sloane; sister, Jane; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, Ashland United Methodist Church. Private Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial contributions to Habitat for Humanity.

Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.