Robert Allen Hatlen Sr., 93, passed away on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, at the home of his daughter in Bigfork.
He was born Jan. 23, 1922, in Clarkfield, Minnesota, to Roe and Anna (Helgeson) Hatlen. Robert was the youngest of 12 children, and spent many hours helping on his families’ farms. He spent eight years in parochial school. He played ball for a Minnesota farm club. The biggest highlight of that was playing a big league Chicago team. He also spent many hours hunting and fishing with family and friends.
On Nov. 16, 1942, Robert was inducted into the Army. He served 195 days on the front lines in the European Theater of operation. He was in Northern France, Belgium and Central Germany. He earned an American Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and German Clasp, Combat Infantry Badge First Award, Expert Infantryman Badge, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Expert Badge and Rifle Bar, and Marksman Badge and Machine Gun Bar. He was honorably discharged Nov. 6, 1945. He returned to Clarkfield and there he ran a pool hall and cafe.
In the summer of 1947, he came to Somers and lived with his older brother Harold. He worked at the Somers mill until the winter of 1948 when the lake froze over. He was out of work and returned once again to Minnesota. He returned back to Montana around 1952. He worked in Libby at J. Neils Lumber for a time and then moved back to Kalispell.
April 19, 1957, he married Donna Larson and adopted her daughter Susan Jo. Together they had three children, Robert Jr., Barbara and Roger.
In his retirement years, Robert spent many wonderful years with his family hunting, fishing and camping.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Roe and Anna Hatlen; 10 sisters; and one brother; his wife, Donna; and granddaughters, Danielle French and Heather Lewis.
He is survived by his children, Susan French, Robert Hatlen Jr. and Linda, Barbara Ruby and David, Roger Hatlen and Rhonda, and honorary son Dan Fields; grandchildren, Jeremy French, Nichole French, Kimberly and Jake Moser, Timothy Lee Hatlen and Kristi, Brooke and Billy Hoye, Ryan Bailey, Jennifer and Silas McKinney, Scott and Janelle Ruby, Kayla and Joe Hartley, Michael and Tonia Hatlen, Monica and Steve Hajek, and Codi and Jeremy Kamm; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be at noon on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, followed by military honors and burial at C. E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. There will be a lunch at the VFW in Kalispell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, Montana PBS, or an organization of your choice.
To send a note of condolence, please visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com . Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.