Roger "Doc" Hatlem

Roger “Doc” Hatlem, 90 of Viroqua, WI, died Tuesday morning September 21, 2021. Roger was born on July 31, 1931, to Rev. Berent and Gertrude Hatlem in Adams, ND. He was the youngest of three sons, Edward being the oldest and Paul who died in infancy. In the summer of 1943, the Hatlem family moved to Taylor, WI. Roger graduated from Taylor High School in May of 1949 and entered St Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he graduated in 1953. Roger was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Counter Intelligence Corps where he searched for war criminals while stationed in Germany. After returning in 1955, Roger earned his Masters Degree at Springfield College, Springfield, MA, in 1956. That fall he started his first teaching job at Morgan High School in Morgan, MN. Roger married Miriam Diemer of Morgan, MN, on June 5, 1958. The family moved to Viroqua, WI, in August of 1960, where Roger taught and coached at the High School as they raised their two sons Todd and Paul. In 1972, Roger received the nickname “Doc” after he earned his Doctorate of Physical Education from Springfield College. Roger spent most of his 35-year career in education in the Viroqua school system as a teacher in biology, anatomy, and physiology. For the last fourteen years there, he served as the Viroqua High School principal. During that time he became the first coach of the Girls Basketball Team where they enjoyed many successful seasons. He was also a Boy Scout leader for 11 years, active in his church throughout his life, and proud of his Scandinavian heritage. Roger and Miriam enjoyed their retirement years by wood carving and painting, earning regional awards and recognition for their work. Their Christmas Santa Clauses and ornaments were favorite gift items for many in the area but Roger was also accomplished in several other types of wood carving and loved to teach carving to anyone interested. Somehow Roger also found time to serve on the Viroqua City Council for many years. Roger was preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife of 58 years Miriam; an infant brother, Paul; his brother Edward Hatlem; sisters-in-law, Marcia (Sargent) Hatlem and Eleanor (Solberg) Hatlem; and brother-in-law George Schermerhorn. Roger is survived by his sons Todd (Sally) Hatlem of Raleigh, NC, and Paul (Julie) Hatlem of La Crescent, MN; sister-in-law Eunice Schermerhorn of Whitehall, PA; grandchildren, Kristie Ellison and Jennifer (Seth) Shevach of Raleigh, NC.; great grandchildren, Heather and Abigale Shevach of Raleigh, NC.; a niece and three nephews. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. For the safety of everyone, face masks are strongly encouraged. Burial will be in the Viroqua Cemetery with full military honors. A light lunch will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Boy Scouts Troop 75 of Viroqua, or Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua is serving Roger’s family. 123 W Decker Street Viroqua, WI 54665 (608) 637-2100