Kenneth Hiatt

Kenneth H. Hiatt, 91, of Iron Mountain passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at the Oscar G. Johnson V.A. Medical Center in Iron Mountain. Ken was born on August 11, 1920 in Bloomington, IL, son of the late Oscar and Kate (King) Hiatt. The family moved from Illinois to Marinette, WI in 1922 and then settled in McAllister, WI. Ken worked with the C.C.C. in Dunbar, WI in the late 1930's. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and became a medic on the front lines in 1944 during the D Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy. Ken was wounded in the battle of St. Lo in France. After his recovery, he was deployed to the Battle of the Bulge where he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He was sent to multiple prison camps and transported in frigid box cars during the winter. After spending seven months as a P.O.W., he was released. Ken was awarded numerous medals and citations for his service to our country. Upon returning home, he went to work at the Marinette Hospital. Ken married Jean Michaelis on December 7, 1946 in Marinette. They moved to Iron Mountain in 1950 when Ken took a position at the V.A. Hospital as an X-ray technician. He retired in 1980 as Chief of X-ray. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Order of the Purple Heart. Ken loved hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, and especially time spent at camp with his sons and grandsons. Ken is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean; two sons, Lynn "Butch" (Marian) Hiatt of Iron Mountain and Mike (Carla) Hiatt of Granite Bluff; five grandchildren, Eric (Heather) Hiatt, Brent (Jaime) Hiatt, Kate Hiatt (Derek Lakari), Tracy Hiatt (Jim Anderson), and Alex Hiatt (Stephanie Kucej); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Elinore Baker, Vivian Mueller and Virginia Hiatt; and two brothers, Aubrey and Marshall Hiatt. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. The funeral service will follow at 5:00pm at the funeral home. Rev. Robert Mueller will officiate. Burial will be in Dickinson County Memorial Gardens. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post #50 along with the Order of the Purple Heart will accord full Military Honors. Ken's grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and residents at the V.A. Hospital C.L.C. for their care and friendship over the past five years. Online condolences may be expressed to the family of Ken Hiatt at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Kenneth Hiatt

February 21, 1921 - February 21, 2012