Wayne Westland

Wayne Donovan Westland, 90, a resident at Madonna Meadows, Rochester, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Wayne was born on April 16, 1935, in Albert Lea, MN. He lived in Scarville, Iowa until age four and then moved to Albert Lea, MN. At age fifteen he moved to Rochester. In Rochester, Wayne focused on the piano and studied under Sister Faber Bird at the School of Musical Arts. After graduation, he attended the University of Michigan to study music. Later, he studied drama at Boston University.

He earned a B.S. degree in 1963 and two years later finished his master's degree from New York University. He received student awards in drama, published and directed plays, and participated in some on-Broadway productions.

After teaching drama at Ricker College in Houlton, Maine for four years, he moved to Omaha to develop a community theater. In 1973, Wayne moved to Los Angeles and began writing plays. In 1990, Wayne returned to Rochester to help his mother take care of his stepfather. In addition, he worked at a gift shop in the Kahler Hotel for many years where customers would stop at the shop to listen to Wayne expound on many topics.

Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Westland Hegge (nee Mabel Jeanette Hellie); father, Thomas Westland; stepfather, Tilman Hegge; stepmother, Ida Westland; brother, Robert Westland; and sister-in-law, Ruth Westland. He is survived by brother, Roger Westland; sister-in-law, Beulah Westland; half-brothers, Tim (Carolyn Felicia) Westland and Mark Westland. Other survivors include many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Maxon Family Cremation & Life Celebrations is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.