Duane Taylor

Duane W. Taylor, age 88, passed away on March 8th, 2021. Duane was born in Hayward, WI. Duane grew up with his grandparents in a little cabin on Sand Lake.

Duane went to the Native American school in South Dakota. After graduating high school Duane entered the Navy and involved in the Korean War. During this time, a cute farm girl named Velores caught his eye. Duane went on to marry his sweetheart and they had a beautiful marriage of 58 years. During these years they moved to Chicago and had twins Duane and Darwin. A couple years later they had a red head and named him Darrell.

One of Duane’s proudest moments was when him and Gene Taylor went to Washington DC, to seek out hoisting for the St. Croix Tribe and hunting and fishing rights for all natives in all the tribes. He met with Bobby Kennedy and the meeting was successful. He got funding for over 60 houses for the tribe and the rights for his people. (This was one of the many things Duane had done to make his community better.)

Duane and his family moved from Chicago to Sand Lake into one of those houses. Duane loved to take his bride to shows at the casinos and all over the country.

Tragically Duane and Velores lost their children one by one every ten years starting in the 1980s. They pressed on and did everything they could for their grandchildren Darrell Jr., Rachel, Marcus, and Brian. Shockingly Velores passed away in 2015. He truly loved her, and she loved and spoiled him.

If you knew Duane, you knew him as a jokester. He was truly a joy to be around and you were blessed to be his friend. If you were around Duane for at least five minutes he had you laughing.

Thank you, Jean, Kaya and Brian, for all your wonderful care for him. Thank you, Julie, and Robin, for cooking for him every day. Thank you, to all who has been a part of his life here on earth. Duane you will be missed but we will see you again in heaven. Go and enjoy your wife and kids again.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 6:00 PM at the St. Croix Tribal Center, Hertel, Wisconsin.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the St. Croix Tribal Center, Hertel, Wisconsin with Lee Staples Officiating. Burial to follow at the Sand Lake Cemetery. Pallbearers are Mike Taylor, Neil Oustigoff Jr., Lee Belisle, Mike Belisle Sr., Joe Taylor, and Jason Belisle.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com.