Glenn Wayne Sayers

Glenn Wayne Sayers, 59, passed away in Madison, WI, with family and the caring staff of St. Mary's Hospital by his side after suffering a heart attack. Glenn was born on June 18, 1963, in Minot, North Dakota, to Kenneth Wayne Sayers and Vida Louise (Smith) Sayers. He was baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic church. He was lovingly called “Pumpkin” by family and friends. Glenn’s mother was an enrolled tribal member of the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. His father was an enrolled tribal member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in Belcourt, ND, where Glenn was enrolled as well. His parents met and married in Chicago, Illinois, while attending Court Reporting school through the American Indian Urban Relocation program. Ken was there after graduating from Poplar High School in Poplar, MT, and serving as a United States Marine. Vida after attending Flandreau Indian Boarding School, in South Dakota. His father’s work as a Police Officer and Criminal Investigator in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and his parents continuing educations brought the family to live in Poplar, Montana; Warm Springs, Oregon; Pine Ridge, South Dakota; Aurora, Colorado; Chadron, Nebraska; and Belcourt, North Dakota.

Glenn’s father remarried in 1978, growing his family to include a loving and caring stepmother, Betty Ann Sayers, and two wonderful step-siblings, Robert and Jane McCormick, who he and his brother, Dale, enjoyed growing up with through part of their middle and all of their high school years. Glenn graduated from Rolla High School in Rolla, North Dakota, with the class of 1982.  Glenn and brothers, Dale and Rob, being close in age, were able to participate together in varsity wrestling, football, and track, as well as choir, and drama, making many happy memories of victories, defeats, laughter, jokes, and pranks.

Glenn attended the University of Jamestown, Jamestown, ND, on a football scholarship, but his sights were on the military. In February of 1983 he enlisted in the Army. He attended Basic training and Law Enforcement Advanced Individual Training, then served as Military Police overseas in Germany for three years followed by four years of Individual Ready Reserve.  He was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Oversea Service Ribbon, Marksman Badge, Sharpshooter Badge, and Good Conduct Medal. 

He returned to the states and continued to serve the peace as a Police Officer in the BIA at Nett Lake Indian Reservation, MN; Warm Springs Indian Reservation, OR; and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, ND. He took pride in learning and living traditional Native American ways and participated in the Sun Dance Ceremony and the Sweat Lodge Ceremony. Glenn had a heart for family life, but after experiencing three brief marriages that produced no children of his own, he settled into life as a bachelor.

In his later years, he obtained his CDL and became a long-haul driver for Penhall Company, Irving, TX. He enjoyed seeing the countryside while driving to TX, CA, CO, KS, IL, MO, and WI. During that time, he lived in Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and finally settled down in the beautiful village of Windsor, WI, making a living at Amcor as a Certified Forklift Operator Materials Handler. He had many wonderful friends, neighbors, and coworkers he enjoyed spending time with, especially at TOPP’s Hideaway. Glenn enjoyed reading, listening to Christian talk radio and religious services, and playing a Dungeons and Dragons themed multi-player game called Skyrim.    

He was preceded in death by his:

Parents: Kenneth Wayne “Fred” “Butch” Sayers and Vida Louise “Boots” (Smith) Sayers. 

Grandparents: Joseph Alexander and Florestine (Azure) Sayers; Peter Isaac and Virginia (Edwards) Smith. 

Aunts: Delma Arlene “Dee” Sayers; Mary Jean “Jean” (Sayers) Gladue; Octavia Jean “Swede” (Smith) (Mancha) Monroe); Joeann Marie “Sister” (Smith) Cain; Jay Lou “Sleepy” (Smith) (Many Hides); Judy Lee “Bubbles” (Smith) Calf Looking; Virginia Faye “Babes” (Smith) Edmo; Georgia Laurette “Mousie” (Smith) Pongah; and Velma Ann “Tana” Smith (Lime);

Uncles: Clarence Virgil “Binky” Smith and Robert Charles “Bob” “Pudgy” Moran (Glenn’s cousin he called uncle.)

And his Nephew & Godson: Dane Donovan Sayers

He is survived by his brother, Dale Lane "Boo" (Bonnie) Sayers, West Fargo, ND; great-nephew, Aden Alexander Sayers, Dilworth, MN; nephew, Jody Lawrence (Alysha Stanczyx) Lamb; great-nephew, Orion Dane Lamb, West Fargo, ND; step mother, Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Sayers, Holdrege, NE; step-brother, Robert James (Michelle) McCormick, Holdrege, NE; step sister, Jane Elizabeth (Andy) McCormick-Anello, CA; uncle, Peter Isaac “Biyi” (Teresa) Smith II, Browning, MT; aunt, Laura Isabelle Smith, Browning, MT.; as well as many extended family, cousins, coworkers, and friends.

As per his wishes, Glenn was cremated. His ashes will be interred at the Fargo National Cemetery, with Military rites and honors at Harwood, ND, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 10am.  Services will be recorded for those unable to attend. Glenn expressed he would like a tree planted in his memory. As Glenn lived in so many places, we encourage family and friends to memorialize Glenn by planting a tree in his memory where you live. 

Memorials for Glenn can be directed to: In Memory of Glenn Sayers, 1043 Sheyenne PK PL, West Fargo, ND 58078. Condolences and memories may be shared at the Remembering Glenn Sayers Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/3524676877803468/ or The Cremation Society of WI at https://obits.cremationsocietyofmadison.com/glenn-sayers.