In 1959, Joanne and Ron Gengel moved to Lake Villa, IL, with half of Ron father’s mink farm. Their family has been killing mink ever since.
Joanne served as the secretary for the Illinois Mink Breeders Association.
Today the Gengel Mink Farm is run by her son Gerald and daughter-in-law Justine on their 60 acre property which also functions as a christmas tree farm. Gerald and Justine are also the owners of Illinois Mink Wire Company, a supplier of Minkomatic feeders, fleshing/skinning machines, and wire for cages and other equipment used by mink and fox farmers.