Mary Ellen Hatton

Mary Ellen Hatton, age 74, of Readstown, died on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

Mary Ellen Hatton, age 74, of Readstown, left this life on October 9th, 2025. She was born August 15th, 1951, on the feast of the Assumption of Mary to Alfred and Marie Felch. She married the late Charles Hatton and has an adopted son, William; one granddaughter, Natalie; a brother, Alvin Felch of Soldiers Grove and several nephews and nieces.

She was educated and inspired by Dominican nuns, became Valedictorian in high school and attended U.W. La Crosse before returning home to care for her disabled father. Mary was very articulate as a writer and speaker with much knowledge and insight into the Scriptures. Her clerical skills were of much value to her employers and her parish where she often served as a lector and lay clergy. She took vows as a Lay Franciscan of the 3rd Order in Marytown, Illinois. She faithfully kept her vows her entire life. Her personal life was guided by empathy and compassion for troubled and needy people who had little to give back. She endured numerous health crises and emotional disappointments that consumed years of her life, but her spiritual strength and Faith in Jesus were undiminished.

The last chapter of her life was her happiest years; free of her burdens she focused on her inner life. She loved the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Viroqua with its young families and hopeful and beautiful culture.

We loved having her near.

One of God’s secret Saints.

My dear Sister.

“I have one request when I embrace my Final call. Remember the laughter of my Love. Or Remember me not at all.”

~ Mary Ellen Hatton~

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18th, 2025, at the Church of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Viroqua. Fr. Joe Richards will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Lunch will follow the service. Her ashes will be interred in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery in Walsh, WI, Marinette County, at a later date.

Thanks for the love and the efforts of the Doctors and Nurses at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse and Vosseteig Funeral Home in Viroqua.