Sylvester “Duane” Foote Sr., 76, of Mandan, passed away on March 2, 2026, at Sanford Health, Bismarck, ND.
Visitation will be held from 3:00-9:00 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, ND.
Wake Services will begin at 4:00 PM on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Eagle Heart Cultural Center (Log Cabin), Dunseith, ND, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Wake Services will continue to Tuesday, March 10, 2026, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.
Military Burial will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
Officiants: Pastor Kevin Finley of New Horizon Ministries, Father Michael Slovak
Sylvester “Duane” Foote Sr. was born at home on May 27, 1949, in Winner, SD to the late Caroline (Foote) Peneaux and late Hobart Wright. He was raised in Winner, SD by his grandparents Martha and Stephan Foote, a few months after he turned 18 years old, he joined the United States Army on November 22, 1967, to February 02, 1971, in those years he served two tours in Vietnam. Duane received his G.E.D. while he was in service. Later while he was working full-time at the Roads Department in Standing Rock he went to college at same time and completed his B.A. in Business Administration.
After his discharge from the US Army, Duane then moved to North Dakota in 1971 and never went back to Winner. He begins his career working at ND State Penitentiary as a prison guard, then worked at UTTC as the Auto Mechanic instructor from 1978 to 1989 where he self-taught himself to be an instructor by reading Hot-Rod Magazines. This intrigued him into the Stock Car Racing world. Where he raced Super Stock and built his cars from scratch his Race Car was number 88. Duane was a Bull Rider in his younger years, played fast pitch, Duane loved hunting went down to Cannon Ball every weekend and would hunt with one of his best friends John T. Hawk of course only during hunting season and this has lots of stories to be told by John T. Hawks two son’s Johnson and Dustin. He also took a Elk Hunting Trip for 2 weeks every October for 27 years he loved those Browning Montana Hunting Trips and made a lot of lifetime friends. Duane was an Author of book he wrote “INDIAN TOWN” of his life and Vietnam experience.
During his summers off Duane would do seasonal work for the Standing Rock BIA Roads Dept Heavy Equipment Operator, in 1989 he took on the position Fulltime with the BIA Roads worked at Roads until it was 638 contracted by Tribe, than went into retirement for a short time he had to go back to work he thought than worked for the ND State Water Commission than went back into full retirement up until time of death. Duane was really a jack of all trades nothing this man could not make work if didn’t have what he needed he made something to make it work and his work was perfection and solid. Claimed not to be a carpenter but built a pretty sharp 8×10 playhouse as good as a living in house for Lillie when she was 4 years old it’s still prefect shape 10 years now. Duane was one of a kind very Humble man would give his helping hand to anyone anytime and if he couldn’t give the hand, he gave the advice Duane could figure out any task that was thrown at him, even in his health trouble years the last 2 he was still helping where he could. Duane was very creative he did almost all the custom-made hardware for center pieces for our Decorating Business Bling and Bless made sure the trailer was packed just right weight wise and nothing would fall around he was such a knowledgeable man with a heart of Gold loved everyone who encountered him. He will be deeply missed by lots of friends and family most of all his Children and Wife will miss him dearly.
He began his life with Evelyn “Faye” Gladue in September of 1979, well he worked at United Tribes Technical College, and she was a student at UMary. In 1984, they welcomed their daughter Brittnee and in 1996 they welcomed their son Sylvester Jr. (Sly). 20 years after they met, they were united in marriage on November 21,1998. In June 2011 they welcomed their bonus daughter Lillieonna also took in Lilli’s younger brother Luke for a couple years that’s where he earned the name BOSSMAN and Luke stole his heart he worried and asked about Luke daily even up to week before his passing Luke definitely was Duane’s little man.
Duane passed away unexpectedly on March 02, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, ND.
He is survived by his loving caring wife Faye, his daughters Brittnee, Lillieonna and Synnove and his one and only son Sly. Bossman Boy’s Luki Owl Boy and his Bossboy “Machine Gun” Kelly Brown Jr. One granddaughter Cyan Simone. His Sisters- Myra Peneaux, Shirley Thunder, Darlene Peneaux, Brenda Peneaux, Bernada Peneaux, Jacqueline Peneaux, Rena Wright, Emma Wright and Quinna Cooper. His Brothers- Hobart Wright Jr. and Kenneth Wright. Sister in-laws: Rosie (Philip) Peltier and Pauline “Susie” Gourneau. Brother-in-laws: Gary Gladue, Frank (Linda) Gladue, Jeff (Sheila) Gladue, Mike (Sherry) Gladue Sr. and Larus Longie. Adopted sister: Sharon (Al) Two Bears. Brothers by heart George “Jimmy” (Sharon) Starr, Larry Fast Horse, along with his many Nieces and Nephews, and his many adopted Nieces and Nephews.
He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather: Caroline & Thomas Peneaux. His father and stepmother: Hobart & Jewel Wright Sr. His grandparents: Martha Mercy King & Stephan Foote, along with his mother-in-law & father-in-law: Evelyn & Frank “Small” Gladue. Uncles: William Foote Sr. and Harold Foote, sister Bonnie Jean Wright, Sister-in-laws Sharon Gladue, Carol Gladue, Janice Schroeder and Alice Longie. Brother-in-laws David Gladue, Gaylen Gladue Sr., William “Wild Bill” Schroder, Warren Gourneau Sr., Clem Thunder Sr., and Harry Thunder. Nieces Sheila and Priscilla Thunder, nephews Joseph Schroeder, Virgil Schroeder Sr., Jared Thunder and Torey Thunder. Adopted Brothers Donald McLaughlin, James “Buster” McLaughlin, Kenny McLaughlin, Brothers by heart Patrick Felix Sr., Billy Jo Felix, John Thunder Hawk Sr., Harry DuBray, Carl “Chick” Ironshield, Kenny White, and Paul Bourdeaux.
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