George Disse

George Louis Disse was born October 24, 1917 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to Edward and Sadie (Eidenschink) Disse. He attended school in rural Detroit Lakes and worked throughout his life there. George was united in marriage to Uda Mae Newman on October 24, 1938. He and Uda were born on the same day one year apart, and they were married on their birthdays.

In addition to farming, George worked for Quenvold Creamery. He and Uda later formed a partnership with Uda’s brother, Emil “Bud” Newman and his wife, Edna to operate Twin Haven Mink Ranch. In the early 1950’s, George and Uda established Hillcrest Mink Ranch. They raised mink for nearly 50 years. He served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Fur Breeders’ Association and on the EMBA Mink Breeders’ Association. He was very influential in shaping the mink farming industry. He and Uda received the Minnesota Fur Breeders’ Rancher of the Year Award in 1980 and the Red River Valley Farmer of the Year Award in 1989.

He loved working hard and instilled a strong work ethic in his children. George thoroughly enjoyed life, hunting, fishing, traveling, watching the Minnesota Twins and spending time with his family. While sponsoring the Hillcrest men’s softball team, he built one of the finest softball fields in the state. Age never slowed him down. He earned his private pilot’s license at the age of 65, along with a seaplane rating. In his later years, he enjoyed working in his shop, caring for his yard and taking his dogs for walks – he in his golf cart with the dogs running alongside.

George is survived by daughters: Gail McKenzie of Detroit Lakes, Paula (Clark) Rolfe of Fort Myers, FL, sons: Glenn (Debbie) Disse of Detroit Lakes, Kevin (Mona) Disse of Detroit Lakes and Kent (Kim) Disse of Detroit Lakes, 10 grandchildren: Gerry McKenzie, Chad Rolfe, Shane (Amy) McKenzie, Clyde (Charmaine) Rolfe, Jesse (Stephanie) Disse, Nicole (Mark) LeDoux, Sadie (Roger) Poehls, Abby (Troy) Pettit, Sarah Disse, and Lee (Megan) Disse, 15 great – grandchildren: Amber McKenzie, Alexa McKenzie, Samantha Disse, Shay Rolfe, Holden McKenzie, Skylar Rolfe, Karsten McKenzie, Courtney Rolfe, Eli Disse, Josie McKenzie, Brittany Rolfe, Rhyen Pettit, Oliver Disse, Kaleb Poehls, and Hudson Pettit. He is also survived by his sister Irene Kohler of Brainerd, MN, brothers; Earl (Evelyn) Disse of Wolf Lake, MN and Wilfred “Fritz” Disse of Detroit Lakes.

George was preceded in death by his wife Uda (November 10, 2007), parents Edward and Sadie, his brothers Art, Walter, Leonard and Charles, his sisters Florence Johnson and Alice Renner, and his Great Grandson Hunter McKenzie.