Helen T. Hatch

Helen T. Hatch, age 98, of Lancaster, died on Friday, September 19, 2008, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, rural Lancaster. She was born on January 18, 1910, in Luxemburg, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest H. and Catherine (Steffen) Goebel. She left Iowa at the age of twenty-two, but was always loyal to her home state and her family. On May 23, 1932, Helen was united in marriage to Stanley K. Hatch at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster, where she has lived for the past 76 years. Helen and her husband started The Reminder in 1932, publishing it out of their home. The Reminder is still being published today. She was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church, its CCW, and Legion of Mary. Helen was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary, which she represented at local grade schools where she spoke to children and gave them a US flag. She loved flowers, gardening and enjoyed the outdoors. The most important part of her life was her family which brought her great happiness and pride. Helen will always be remembered for her love of her family, her country and her faith in God.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley on February 10, 1985, a son, David John Hatch in 1962, two grandchildren, sisters: Martha Lechtenberg, Irene Block and Othilda Sherman, brothers, Raymond, Leander, Eugene and Hilarry Goebel, and a sister-in-law, Lucile Hatch.

Survivors include her two sons: James (Pat) Hatch, Madison; Toni (Anita) Hatch, Portage; her daughter: Diane Hatch Ertz, Madison; thirteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two sisters: Louise (Art) Ries, New Vienna, IA; Virginette (Loras) Hosch, Dubuque, IA; sister-in-law, Bertha Goebel, Luxemburg, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Father William Seipp and Father Carl Ries officiating. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster. Friends called on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.