Father Duaine M. Cote
December 21, 1935 ~ June 9, 2025
Born in:
Willow City, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Father Duaine Cote’s prayer service can be viewed below starting at 7:00 PM Thursday, June 12, 2025.
https://youtube.com/live/ZPMxUV7c5B0?feature=share
Father Duaine Cote’s Mass of Christian Burial can be viewed below starting at 10:00 AM, Friday, June 13, 2025
https://youtube.com/live/F9EPJ0y4mJo?feature=share
Father Duaine Martin Cote at age 89 passed away and entered his eternal home on 9 Jun 2025, on the 63rd anniversary of his Priestly Ordination. He was born on December 21, 1935, to Alcid and Louise Cote in Willow City, ND. Fr. Cote had four siblings: Leatrice Campion, Fr. Don Cote, Roland Cote, and Sister Maurine Cote. Preceding him in death are Father Cote’s parents, Alcid and Louise Cote, and his four siblings: Leatrice Campion, Fr. Don Cote, Roland Cote, and Sister Maurine Cote. Fr. Cote is survived his twelve nieces and nephews: Tim Campion, Monte Cote, Brian Cote, Richard Cote, Jon Cote, Marty Cote, Bob Cote, Kathy Hennessy, Marilyn Burke, Linda Lewis, Julie Cote-Halperin, and Robyn Cote. He also has several great nieces and nephews and countless great, great grand nieces and nephews.
Father Duaine Cote served as a North Dakota parish priest after graduating from seminary in 1962. He was an assistant pastor at St. Phillip Neri Church in Napolean, St. Michael’s in Grand Forks, Sacred Heart in Orren, and St. Anselm’s in Fulda from 1962-1971. He served as the Spiritual Director at Cardinal Muench Seminary in Fargo and Vocation Director of Fargo Diocese from 1971-1981. Fr. Cote was a Pastor of Holy Spirit in Fargo from 1981-1984, and Our Lady of Peace in Mayville, St. Agnes in Hunter from 1984-1989. He served at St. Mark’s in Bottineau, and St. Andrew’s in Hope from 1989-1993. He served at Transfiguration in Edgeley and St. Agnes in Hunter from 1993-2009. Fr. Cote retired to Sts. Anne and Joachim in 2009.
Fr. Cote moved to Riverview Place in 2018 and called Riverview his home until his passing.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Fargo Diocese Priest Retirement Fund and Pension Plan in honor of Fr Cote at Fargo Diocese, Living Our Faith (https://fargodiocese.net/lof).
Services
Vigil: June 12, 2025 9:30 am
Riverview Place Chapel
5300 12th St S
Fargo, North Dakota 58104
(701) 237-4700
https://www.chilivingcommunities.org/locations/north-dakota/riverview-place
Visitation - Thursday: June 12, 2025 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104
(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/
Rosary - Thursday: June 12, 2025 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104
(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/
Prayer Service - Thursday: June 12, 2025 7:00 pm
Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104
(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/
Visitation - Friday: June 13, 2025 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104
(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/
Funeral Mass - Friday: June 13, 2025 10:00 am
Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104
(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/
He was a fine gentleman and a good priest especially in his care to CMS Seminarians and always faithful to the Church. May he now done in the Kingdom of God.
I knew Father Cote from Riverview. He was such a nice and sometimes silly individual. Always happy to visit with residents. Rest in peace faithful servant.
Oh Dear FR. Cote,
I know you were loved by all.
I know you sure loved to play cards.
Sympathy to all of your Nieces & Nephews.
Robert & Kathleen Bennett
I am eternally indebted to you, Fr. Duaine, for all you have done for me.
It is a special time as Fr. Duaine passes on into eternity. So special a priest, humble and so deeply spiritual. Called by God he lived his days with a deep love for God and so.much care and concern for all who were intrusted to his spirtual care. Some of us were blessed with a closer relationship which made of us a better priest because of his great spiritual influence. Goodbye Fr. Duaine and thank you for making us a better priest. God’s welcome will be so special in His Kingdom. We pray for you.
Fr. Cote was such a humble person. He was one Priest at the seminary that truly belonged there to guide the students. I so enjoyed his company and was inspired by his spiritual guidance. May he rest in peace.
I knew Fr. Cote from his time serving in Edgeley and also from my 4 years at Cardinal Muench Seminary. He was such a good person and was genuinely concerned for all he worked with. I connected with him again after the death of my mother in 2022 and found him to be very supportive. He will truly be missed.
Fr. Cote indeed was a very special person. I remember when I was trying to decide whether or not to enter the seminary, how many visits he made to my home in Oakwood to help me discern a vocation or not.
I shall always treasure my yrs at Cardinal Muench and Fr. Cote was a big part of those memories.
His kindness and humbleness along with his deep spirituality were always on display.
Rest in Peace faithful servant of our Lord Jesus.
Duane Cote and I (Hilary) were ordained in the Catholic Diocese of Fargo 1962
Duane was actually ordained about 10 or 15 days after I was. He was a good and very faithful servant of the diocese where I was for 11 years.
Duane was faithful and faultless for all 63 years of his ordination in the Catholic tradition.
“Our parents knew Fr. Cote first…they became friends and he never lost touch with them. He was known to visit on occasion, and their hospitality ultimately led to how we all (Fettig siblings) became closer to Fr. Cote. He knew every kid at the church elementary school by name…and our parents…and probably visited all of them. Fr. Cote had a way of making our homes feel very special. He not only knew our names, but he knew our interests and asked how he could help us reach our goals.”
“Did I mention that he had a beautiful, fast, red car? And that he was funny, handsome, and smart?”
“Listening was his greatest gift to us all.”
“He was the best priest. He was such a gentle soul. He was a breath of fresh air.”
Rest in Peace, Fr. Cote.
Submitted on behalf of Joseph and Veronica Fettig (dec.), their children, and their families.
Gerald Fettig, Sharon Shemon, Michael Fettig (dec.), Alaqua Cummings, Kevin Fettig, Lynn Fettig, and Norma Key
St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Napoleon