Catherine Hatton

Catherine Frances Hatton, 92, passed away on June 26, 2014, surrounded by family.

She was born Feb. 4, 1922, in Columbia Falls to Joseph and Mary Motichka and raised on the family farm in LaSalle, near the present-day Glacier International Airport. She attended school in LaSalle and graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1940.

Kay and Don Hatton met during high school at a school dance at the LaSalle Grange Hall. They were married in Whitefish on Aug. 23, 1941.

They moved to the San Francisco area during World War II, where Kay worked for the Southern Pacific Railway as a clerical agent. After the war, they returned to the Evergreen area and raised four boys. She was secretary at Calvary Lutheran Church, and later secretary at Evergreen School, where she knew every face and never forgot a name.

Kay was involved in many actives with her boys, including baseball, scouting, church and many fun summers at the family cabin on Ashley Lake, and was always there to support all involved, always with a smile and a helping hand.

In 1982 Kay and Don retired and became snowbirds, spending winters in Arizona and  summers in the Flathead. Golf, dancing, cards, bingo and piano playing kept Kay busy in retirement.

Kay’s biggest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren Walker, Cooper, Cody, Katelyn and Brady, and great grandchildren Liam, Elle and Henley. She loved building scrapbooks, taking nature hikes, reading to her grandchildren and tea parties. Kay was the best grandma and baby sitter in the history of the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Andrew, Jim and Dick; and sisters Betty Fredenberg and Barbara Penney.

She is survived by her sons Barry Hatton and Judy Hawley, Doug and Cheryl Hatton, Kevin Hatton and Karen Pfeifer, and Rob Hatton and fiancee Jeanne Bowman; her sister Roberta Elgin; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at Northridge Lutheran Church in Kalispell on June 30, 2014.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice, Immanuel Lutheran Home or any of the donor’s choice.