Richard Hatz

Richard P. Hatz, 86 years old, of Remsen, IA died Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen, IA. 
        Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 27, 2013, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with Rev. William McCarthy and Deacon Rick Roder officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Remsen.  Visitation will be anytime after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.  There will be a parish rosary at 5 p.m. and a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary and 4th degree chalice presentation, all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.  Condolences may be sent online to www.fischfh.com.
        Richard was born on April 9, 1927, at LeMars, IA the son of Nick and Mary (Lauters) Hatz.  He was raised in the Remsen area and graduated in 1944 from St. Mary's High School.  Dick then graduated in 1948 from Westmar College and became owner and operator of Hatz Locker with his father for 28 years in Remsen.  He also taught part time at St. Mary's High School for 17 years.  He was then employed with Prudential Insurance for 25 years.
        On April 19, 1950, he married Ellen Weiler at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, IA. 
        Richard was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  He was a member of the Democratic party of Iowa, a member of the Luxembourg Society of Iowa and a 4th degree Knight of Columbus. He served as a lecturer and Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary's Catholic Church for many years.
        Dick loved his family but another passion he had was cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. These ties have even been passed down to his children, grandchildren and great -grandchildren.
        The Hatz Meat locker was a staple in Remsen. This partnership with his father was not only the family business but the way the Hatz family emigrated from Luxembourg. While in the family business with his father, Dick was on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Locker Association and served as president for one year.
        Dick did not just have an address listed in Remsen his entire life but giving back to the community he called home for nearly nine decades was very important and essential part of who he was as a giving person. He was an active member of the community and volunteered his time as Chairman in many different ways including serving on the City Council and numerous times as Chairman of Oktoberfest. He belonged to the Lion's Club and helped start the Little League in Remsen.
        One of his greatest philanthropic achievements was being a vital part of the formation of the Mid-Sioux Opportunity –a Community Action Agency. The mission of Mid-Sioux Opportunity Inc is to meet the individual and community needs through education, health, financial and out reach services. He was a founding board member for more than 42 years before retiring in 2009.
        The Richard Hatz Scholarship was created to honor Dick’s dedication to Mid-Sioux opportunity since the organizations’ beginning in 1965. The scholarship is funded through donations and contributions from the staff and board members of Mid Sioux.
        Survivors include: his wife Ellen of Remsen; his five children, Steve (Pam) Hatz of Omaha, NE; Beverly Hatz of Charlotte, NC; Chuck (Deborah) Hatz of Iowa City, IA; Tom (Debbie) Hatz of Chicago, IL; Judy (Tim) Pick of Ames, IA; 15 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren. A sister, Ginger Bunkers and sister in-law, Mert Weiler.
        Preceded in death by, his parents, Nick and Mary Hatz, brother Paul, sister Marian.
        Casket bearers will be, Nicholas Hatz, Matthew Hatz, Dan Hatz, Nick Hatz, Mitchell Pick, Martin Pick, and Nathan Hatz.
        K of C Honorary Bearers will be Cyril Schmit, Dick Wurth, Chuck Conover, Fred Roling, Tony Delperdang.
        In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Mid-Sioux Opportunities Inc. and Hospice of Siouxland.
 Lunch will follow the committal at St. Mary's Cafeteria.