Louis Wayne Mikesell was born on March 4, 1952 to his parents Raymond and Mary Mikesell in Crescent City, California. He had two older brothers, Richard and Laurence. At the time, the family lived in Oregon. By the age Louis was two they had moved to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana, and until he was nine they lived on an old farm with no running water. They had a milk cow and a huge garden. They then moved to a more modern trailer,

Louis started grade school at five in Clinton, Montana and graduated from Sentinel High School. He went to the Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation.

Louis' first marriage was to Avia Iverson. They had two children. Avis and their youngest son were killed in a train accident in 1975. Louis remarried in 1976 to Patricia, and they had two children together. They raised the children in Polson, Montana. He and Patti eventually moved to Helena.

Louis is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Raymond and Matthew, and daughter Jaime.

He began playing guitar (his biggest passion, besides hunting and fishing) at the age of fifteen. He was an astounding guitar player and was in multiple bands throughout his life, as well as being a member of the Fiddler's Club. In his later years he brought joy to many lives through his music and playing in retirement homes throughout the valley out of the kindness of his heart. My father was a very good man and I will miss him enormously.

A memorial service will be held on April 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Helena First, 2210 Dodge Avenue, Helena, Montana 59601.