Maureen Claire Hatch

The funeral service for Maureen Hatch, 88, of Brandon, SD, formerly of Tracy, MN, will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Tracy Cemetery.

Maureen Claire Mahlen Hatch was born August 26, 1936, in Webster, South Dakota to Ed and Clara Mahlen. She grew up, attended school and graduated from Webster High School. She attended St. John’s Lutheran Church and was active as an organist and vocalist. She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Enemy Swim Lake and attending Ne So Dak Bible Camp. Maureen attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls and studied Elementary Education. She was in the Augustana choir, was the marching band drum majorette, and lifeguarded at the local YWCA. While at Augustana, she met her husband, Dale Hatch, from Tracy, MN. They married in 1957 and celebrated over 57 years of marriage. Together they began their family and teaching careers in Sanborn, MN. In 1963, they moved to Tracy, MN where they raised their family and continued teaching until retirement.

Maureen loved teaching children. She had a long career of working in the Tracy Public Schools and at St. Mary’s Catholic School. Her kind, encouraging and patient personality was something her students and colleagues appreciated. Maureen was also an unofficial ‘cheerleader’ being married to a coach and the mother of children who loved sports and drama. She always put her family first.

When she wasn’t teaching, Maureen always found time to play bridge with many groups of fellow bridge enthusiasts. She was an excellent card player and loved the strategy of the game and the competition. Even though the stakes weren’t high ($1) she enjoyed the fellowship with her friends. Many might not know, but she was also a keen horseshoe thrower and bowler. Her skilled technique made her a fierce opponent. She was a long-time member of Sorosis Study Club, Monday Musicale, among many other clubs over the years.

Maureen’s faith was always at the center of her life. She was a lifelong member of Tracy Lutheran Church where she was a faithful Circle member and served many events at the church. She was a leader for Sunday School and Summer Bible School for many years. She was a church musician and vocalist. She made sure her children learned to play an instrument and to appreciate all kinds of music. Music and song always filled her life.

When it came to hospitality, there was no one who enjoyed entertaining and making others feel welcome more than Maureen. She opened her home to her friends for holidays, parties and games and she always made everyone feel welcome and special. Maureen loved to laugh and there were many Uff Da’s that could be heard giving credit to her love of her Norwegian heritage. Her delightful sense of humor did not fade even as her memory did. Maureen was grateful for every day that she was able to welcome visitors and always told them as they left ‘be careful’ and ‘I love you.’

Maureen died on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Bethany Home in Brandon, SD.

Maureen is survived by three children and their families: Deborah ‘Deb’ Hatch Baker (Brent) of Milbank, SD, Raybecca ‘Becky’ Hatch Fiala of Sioux Falls, SD, and Doug Hatch of New Richmond, WI. She has seven grandchildren Amanda Baker Vande Brake (Jason), Carissa Baker (Jeff Sakata), Daniel Baker (Crystal), Halle Hatch Betthauser (Jake), Madeline Hatch, Patrick Fiala (Kaylie), Hayden Fiala and great grandchildren Caleb Baker, Max, Lincoln, Beau, & Baker Rasmussen, Samantha Sakata, and Charlotte Maureen Betthauser. Maureen was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents and her husband.

We hope that your memories of our mother and grandmother bring a smile to your face and warm your heart. God Bless her beautiful memory.