Wayne Westensee, 78, of Lakota, ND, passed away on June 3, 2026, at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood, ND.

Wayne was born on February 28, 1948, at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND, to Warren and Annette (Odstrcil) Westensee. He was raised on the family farm near Bartlett, ND, and graduated in 1966 from Lakota High School. He went on to complete a course in civil engineering technology at Lake Region Junior College and worked for the US Geological Survey as a Hydrologic Technician for 30 years until he was disabled by his first major stroke in 1998.

Wayne married Barbara Anderson, also of Lakota, on June 30, 1967. The couple moved to Grand Forks and raised 2 daughters there.

Wayne had many hobbies in his younger years including deer hunting, fishing and camping with his family. The family enjoyed time at their cabin at Red Willow Resort for several summers. He later enjoyed coin collecting, cooking, Sudoku puzzles, and most of all farming, which he continued until 2019. He enjoyed his daily trips to Devils Lake where he was often found at Pop’s Goodtime Bar with a Mountain Dew in his hand and enjoying his good luck at pull tabs and gaming machines. He would give a wave to friends who would pass him on Highway 2 while he was driving far below the speed limit. Once he moved into the nursing home in 2021, he continued solving his Sudoku puzzles and kept an eye on all the residents’ activities.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his former wife, Barb.

He is survived by his daughters, Carol (Vince) Weible of Larimore, ND, and Cathy (Rodney) Fisk of Michigan, ND; his sister Elaine (Wes) Brooks of Lakota; his niece and nephew, Annie and Warner, and several cousins.

Memorials can be sent to Aneta Parkview Health Center or Lakota Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026 at Aaker Funeral Home, Lakota, ND. Burial will be held at the Lakota Cemetery.