Stephen J. Hatz

Stephen J. Hatz

March 14, 1951 – January 30, 2021

Preceded in death by father, Richard P.; father-in-law, Edward Robinette; sister-in-law, Cindy Rinnan. Survived by wife, Pamela; children: Jamie Robinette, Nicholas (Jody) Hatz, Matthew Hatz, Daniel (Lauren) Hatz, and Melissa (Fabius) Clements; grandchildren: Morgan, Benjamin, Jack, Ella, Hannah, Jacob, Kinnick, Hayden, Olivia, Eleanor, and Fabius; mother, Ellen Hatz; sisters, Bev Hatz and Judy (Tim) Pick; brothers, Chuck (Debbie) Hatz and Thomas (Debbie) Hatz; mother-in-law, Donna (Marv) Pick; brothers-in-law, Don (Patty) Robinette and Dan (Cheri) Robinette; other loving relatives and friends.

For more than forty years, Steve was a successful Agricultural Banker.

Visitation: Wednesday, February 3rd from 5 pm to 7pm at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church (15353 Pacific) with WAKE SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, February 4th at 10:30am at. St. Wenceslaus Church.  Interment: Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

To view a live broadcast of the Vigil Service and Mass, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page.


Stephen John Hatz was born on March 14, 1951 to Richard and Ellen (Weiler) in LeMars, Iowa. Steve grew up in Remsen, Iowa attending St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1969.

Steve was well-rounded playing sports and singing. He played basketball and baseball. However, his baseball career changed when he was called up to the announcer booth from the dugout.

He also loved to sing, act and was in the choir. But his big break and claim to fame was when he was casted as “Curly” in the Remsen High School production of “Oklahoma.”

Steve attended Briar Cliff College and graduated from Westmar College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Accounting in 1973. He also graduated from the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business in 1982 and the University of Colorado Graduate School of Banking in 1984. For more than 40 years, Steve was a successful Agricultural Banker. He was active in a variety of national and state associations. Most recently he consulted for Sterling Transportation Services and was the Chairman of Board for Cure Land and Cattle.

Steve was a 47-year member of the Knights of the Columbus. He joined on November 1, 1973 at the age of 22 years old. Steve and Pam were devoted members at St. Wenceslaus for more than 37 years and Skutt Catholic High School supporters since they opened the doors in 1997.

His No. 1 hobby was cheering on his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. It was not easy to be a loyal Hawkeye fan living in Nebraska for most of his life, but his enthusiasm for the Hawks was undeniable. He would often make the trip to Iowa City to cheer on his Hawks. However, his favorite place to watch the games were from “his chair” at home.

Steve was a true example of integrity and how to live a faithful and compassionate life. He was a devoted husband for more than 45 years to the love of his life, Pam. He was a dedicated father to Jamie, Nicholas (Jody), Matthew, Danny (Lauren) and Melissa (Fabe). He was a proud and doting Pop to Morgan, Benjamin, Jack, Ella, Hannah, Jacob, Kinnick, Hayden, Olivia, Eleanor and Fabius.

To know him was to love him and he will never be forgotten – husband, father, Pop, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, we will hold you in our hearts forever.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

  • Matthew 11:28-30

27 Comments

  • Deanna Dugan Posted January 31, 2021 5:11 pm

    Pam—We are so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Dick and I send you, Jamie, Matt, Nick, Danny, Missy and your dear grandkids our love and sincere condolences. Take care.

  • Roger and Norma Sturdevant Posted January 31, 2021 6:25 pm

    So sorry to learn is Steve’s passing. He was a leader in the agricultural lending community and mentored many industry leaders. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and close associates. Roger & Norma Sturdevant

  • Brett Gottsch Posted January 31, 2021 7:17 pm

    To Pam and family. With a heavy heart I send you this note.
    I always considered Steve a very close friend. I learned a lot from him, he was a man of honor and integrity. I will miss him very much.

  • john nahas Posted February 1, 2021 9:15 am

    Pam and family. Kathy and I were very sad to hear the news of Steve passing. We worked together for many years. I always respected his banking abilities and his loyal following of customers. I know he was a devoted family man and husband. He also, was very dedicated to his catholic faith. He will be missed. Kathy and John

  • Kathy and Kurt strawhecker Posted February 1, 2021 10:01 am

    Our thoughts and prayers to the Hatz family.
    Kurt and Kathy Strawhecker

  • Janny and Doc Mahoney Posted February 1, 2021 10:18 am

    Pam and family,
    We hope you are finding comfort in the love of family and friends. Steve was a wonderful person. He will live on in the hearts of many.
    Love and prayers
    Janny, Doc and family

  • Chad Adams Posted February 1, 2021 10:19 am

    To Pam and his Family,
    We are deeply saddened to hear this news about our friend. I have a great deal of respect for Steve and the way he lived his life & conducted business. I learned much from him. He will be missed.

  • Jeff Johannesmeyer Posted February 1, 2021 10:50 am

    To Pam and the family. It is with extreme sadness I send my deep sympathy.
    Steve was a friend and confidante for many years. I appreciated his honesty and commom-sense solutions to life’s ups and downs. I learned a great deal from him and do grateful to have known him.
    May his memory be eternal.

  • Tom Clabaugh Posted February 1, 2021 1:42 pm

    So sorry to read of Steve’s passing. Worked with him and knew he was a good ag lender through tough agricultural times. Great guy.

  • Jeff Weaver Posted February 1, 2021 2:33 pm

    Steve and I go back to the old Omaha National Bank days and many years beyond. I will fondly remember him for his professionalism, his principles and his integrity, and for his loyalty to his collegues and customers. He will be missed by all.
    Jeff and Karen Weaver

  • dave bunkers Posted February 1, 2021 7:34 pm

    Pam and family, so sorry for you , kids and grandkids. He was my first cousin and will be missed by all of us.
    I am sure he and Dick are watching the Hawkeyes on tv by now.
    Dave and Jan Bunkers

  • Offutt Surgical Services Posted February 2, 2021 9:01 am

    To Dr. Daniel Hatz and family,
    You remain in the thoughts and prayers of those from your surgical military family. We are so very sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies.

  • Steve Harpenau Posted February 2, 2021 10:09 am

    Pam and kids…Lynda and I send our condolences. With our Remsen connections and our involvement within the Skutt Catholic High School family, we share a lot of memories. Take care.
    Steve and Lynda Harpenau

  • Chuck Greenway Posted February 2, 2021 11:13 am

    Pam and family : Thoughts and prayers with all of you. Steve had a positive impact on so many people. He was one of the best ag bankers in the country and a great mentor to so many of us who worked with him over the years . More importantly, he was a good man and put his family first . We will all miss him .
    Chuck and Louise Greenway

  • Carol J. Latoza Posted February 2, 2021 12:51 pm

    Dear Pam and family. I am so sorry for you loss and sadness. Steve was more that a co-worker, he was a friend and taught me so much about life. My life is better for having known him. Simply said – a great guy in everything he did. Sincerely Carol

  • Jim Wernli Posted February 2, 2021 4:24 pm

    Pam & family, deeply saddened by the passing of Steve and praying for your family as you navigate through this pain of loss and separation. Steve will be remembered with great fondness and a high degree of respect and honor. He mentored me for over 22 years and taught me so much about the world of ag finance. But, much more than that, he taught me about professionalism, integrity, ethics, the value of relationships, and the blessings of the workplace. I know that his legacy of character, integrity and honor will live on through your family, and certainly through those he has taught, coached and mentored so well in the workplace these many years. He will be missed, but I have been immensely blessed to have known and worked so closely with Steve! So thankful the Lord ordained that I would be mentored by him.

  • Gary and Ann Thomsen Posted February 2, 2021 5:50 pm

    We send our sincere sympathy to Pam and family.
    It wasn’t that long ago I was watering trees with Steve. He was alway so approachable and easy to talk to. He loved talking about his family and could feel his deep love for them. I will always remember his deep rich beautiful

  • Gary and Ann Thomsen Posted February 2, 2021 6:12 pm

    Our most sincere sympathy to Pam and family.
    I recently had been working with Steve watering trees at St. Wenceslaus. He was always approachable and easy to talk to. I will always remember his rich deep voice and laugh. You felt his love for God, his family and Iowa.

  • Jen Selfridge (Meehan) Posted February 2, 2021 6:29 pm

    Hatz family, I am so deeply sorry to hear about Steve’s passing. What a great man he was! Many wonderful memories. I will keep you all in my prayers.

  • Marilyn J Siske Posted February 3, 2021 7:19 am

    We are so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. As cousins we grew up together and had many shared memories. John and I send our deepest sympathy to his wife Pam, his mom my aunt Ellen his children and siblings. My heart aches for your loss. Love to all! Marilyn and John Siske

    • Karen Sherman Posted February 3, 2021 3:11 pm

      Pam & family,
      I am so sorry to hear about Steve’s passing. He will surely be missed! Hugs to all of you! My thoughts and prayers go with you!

  • Terri Hatz Hedrick Posted February 3, 2021 3:04 pm

    Thoughts and Prayers to the entire Hatz family. Wishing.I could give hugs to everyone.
    Our deepest Sympathy
    Terri and John

  • Margie and John Crowe Posted February 3, 2021 5:55 pm

    Dear Pam, Jamie, Nick,Matt, Melissa and Dan,
    We are so deeply sorry for the passing of your husband Pam and your father. Your dad was always so proud of all of you.
    John was on the tree watering team along with Gary and Pat. John said that Steve would love to talk about his family and his grandchildren.
    I was blessed to teach Ben and Jack at SSM and got to know Morgan too. Jamie, you and your family are all in my thoughts and prayers.
    Pam, we are so sorry. Steve and you were a wonderful and loving couple.
    May the love of God surround all of you and may the wonderful memories of your husband / father help to ease your sorrow.
    God bless,
    Margie & John

  • Susan Larsen Posted February 4, 2021 9:52 am

    I wanted to extend my sympathies, thoughts and prayers to Steve’s family, friends and colleagues. He was one of the most knowledgeable agribusiness lender/managers that I visited with over the years. His professionalism, knowledge and ability to mentor and grow stellar Agribusiness portfolios and departments was phenomenal. His passion for his work was a huge part of his success. Once again I am so sorry for your loss.

  • Rosemary Schoolfield Posted February 4, 2021 10:36 am

    My sincere sympathy to you and your family.

  • Nick Durow Posted February 4, 2021 12:44 pm

    We are very sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. I always enjoyed seeing him periodically at St. Wenceslaus and him saying ‘Go Hawks’ to me. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of the Hatz family!

  • Dean Cardoza Posted February 5, 2021 12:39 am

    With deep sadness and the fond memories of having had the privilege of being a colleague of Steve’s for nearly sixteen years. He was a peach, talented in so many areas in his life. But if I had to point to one thing that I always took note
    of about him was the love that he had for his family. He was truly proud in a way that when sharing you could clearly see the love that he had and shared with you all. I will always remember the glow in his eye, the smile on his face, and that made for broadcasting voice of his. Truly a man of substance. Sincerely, Dean & Paula

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