Michael William Mikesell

Michael William Mikesell, 82, passed away on August 8th, 2024, after struggling with Parkinson's and other related health concerns. Michael, otherwise known as Mike, had a larger-than-life personality who filled up the room with laughter all the while sharing the many great stories that he'd endured throughout his lifetime.
Mike was born to Florence (Cast) and Earle in Livingston, Montana. His father was an avid outdoorsman, and it was through him that Mike found his love for hunting and fishing. He attended grade school at St. Mary's and high school at Park County High. After graduating high school, Mike briefly attended Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana before enlisting in the Army National Guard. He finished his term of service as Staff Sargent. Mike had many memories serving his term, but one major highlight was staging in Pensacola, Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After his term of service ended, Mike went to broadcasting school in Burbank, California. He worked as a television engineer at KXLF in Butte, Montana where he met his first wife, Jean. In 1965, they got married and shortly thereafter, had their first child, Matt. In 1969, they moved to Billings, Montana, where Mike worked at KTVQ and KULR and had their second child Mary.
In 1973, Mike retired from the broadcasting world and helped Jean start the First Run Daycare Center at a new ski resort, Big Sky, located on a mountain in Montana. Mike was an electrician, ski instructor and security guard at the ski resort. In 1976 Mike relocated to Bozeman, Montana where he worked for Martel Construction as an apprentice, then quickly promoted to foreman. He served term as president of the local carpenter's union. In 1980 he moved back to his hometown of Livingston, Montana. He continued working for Martel Construction. Mike along with his friend/partner Gary (Flash) Davis bought a McKenzie style drift boat company and changed the name to Yellowstone Drifter Boats.
Amid running his boat company, he was set up on a blind date with a woman named Carol, who would be the love of his life, Carol (Vardalis). In 1985 they were married and Mike relocated back to Bozeman, Montana, Mike continued building boats in Livingston until they were getting hard to sell. "Everyone who wants one now has one" was how Mike put it, He sold the company and started working for Martel Construction again. In 1988, Mike and Carol moved to Minesota, leaving Martel behind. He worked as a construction manager for Reynolds Construction and Letourneau Construction. After that he retired from the private sector construction and spent 15 years as a Facilities Manager for the City of Bloomington.
Mike never lost his love for Montana, but he was finally able to build his and Carol's dream home on 3 ½ acres in the country. He was able to satisfy one of his lifelong dreams to finally own a Corvette: a 1978 Silver Anniversary and then a 1991 convertible. He kept his corvettes in show-room condition, and it was through the Corvettes that Mike and Carol made many life – long friends in Minnesota. Mike and Carol were active members of Classic Corvettes of Minnesota for over 30 years, in that time Mike served in various board positions including president. He was also a key organizer for Lakeville's Pan-O-Prog, running the cruises and organizing the Corvettes for the parade for many years.
Mike is survived by his wife Carol, his son Matt, his daughter Mary Spivey, his stepdaughter Wanda Exley, his granddaughters Aliyah Ellis and Kaya Martin, his step-grandson Lance Exley, his great grandsons Quinn and Scott. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Paul (known as Pat).
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Minnesota Hospice Foundation of Lakeville, Minnesota, The Parkinson's Foundation, and Minnesota's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. A big thank you to The Rosemount Senior Living, the staff were wonderful to Mike in his final days.
Celebration of life to follow at a future date and time.