Mt. Vernon/Verona

Betty Jean  Disch, age 74 of Mt. Vernon, WI passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2002 at St. Marys Care Center in Madison, WI after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  The former Betty Jean Holcomb was born August 2, 1927 in Janesville, WI to Forrest & Hattie (Gower) Holcomb.  She graduated from Janesville High School in 1945.  She was employed by the Janesville Telephone Company and Parker Pen before she was united in marriage to the late Waldo "Duke" Disch on June 15, 1946.  They lived in Belleville, WI and later moved to Mt. Vernon, WI.  In June 1996, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  They bought the Mt. Vernon Mill in 1953 and operated it until 1978.  In 1967, they purchased the Jack Bischoff farm and converted the dairy barn into a hen laying operation for 5600 laying hens.  In 1970, they built a bigger chicken house, which housed 20,000 laying hens.  She enjoyed bowling and puzzles. She was a member of the Zwingli United Church of Christ of Mt. Vernon and a member of the Royal Neighbors of America.

Betty Jean is survived by her 7 children: Dennis (Phyllis) Disch of Mt. Vernon, Cheryl Disch of Cambridge, Linda (Robert) Sies of Belleville, Judy (Dave) Ross of Mt. Vernon, Debra (Curt) Herfel of Verona, Terry (Melody) Disch of Mt. Horeb, Deanna (Bob) Prochaska of Blue Mounds, 17 Grandchildren, 5 Great Grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law:  Betty Jane Disch of Verona, and Charlotte Holcomb of Janesville and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband: Duke, her mother and father, and her 2 brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 at Zwingli United Church of Christ in Mt. Vernon with Rev. Glenn Danz officiating.  Burial will be at Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison.  Friends may call from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 at the Ellestad Funeral Home, 500 N. 8th St., Mt. Horeb.