Michael Terry Waisanen, known to all as Mikey, took the ultimate half-pipe to the sky on July 23, 2024. Born on July 3, 1988, in the historic town of Deadwood, South Dakota, Mikey was a man who lived life with the kind of passion and creativity that could light up the darkest of garages. His final curtain call took place in Rapid City, South Dakota, surrounded by the love of his family and friends. Mikey was the beloved son of Ray Waisanen and Venus Vanarsdall, the brother who set the bar high for Daniel, Chyenne, Rayechael, and Clint, and the standard for cool for his brother Randal. He was the guy who, when he walked into a room, you knew the party had started, and when he left, you knew the after-party was where you wanted to be. A proud graduate of Lead High School, Mikey never lost his school spirit, and by spirit, we mean his uncanny ability to pull off a prank that would leave everyone laughing, including the janitor. His education extended far beyond the classroom, mastering the art of life with a wrench in one hand and a skateboard in the other. Mikey was a master craftsman, a title he earned every day with his work as an automotive mechanic. He wasn’t just a mechanic, though; he was a magician under the hood, turning clunkers into purring beasts. He could listen to an engine and tell you its life story, dreams, and aspirations. Mikey’s hands were always dirty, but his work was always clean.
Skateboarding was not just a hobby for Mikey; it was a philosophy. He approached every ramp and rail with the same focus and dedication that he did with every car that rolled into his shop. Snowboarding was his winter translation of that philosophy—gravity was a mere suggestion to Mikey, not a law. When he wasn’t defying physics on wheels or boards, Mikey was a dungeon master extraordinaire. Dungeons and Dragons were more than a game to him; it was a stage where he brought legends to life, and where his creativity could run wild, like a gnome barbarian in a goblin market.
Family and friends were the core of Mikey’s world. He was the heart and soul of every family gathering, not just because of his infectious laugh but because of his ability to make everyone feel loved and important. Mikey was the guy who remembered your dog’s birthday and would help you move a couch without being asked. To describe Mikey as creative, passionate, and loving is an understatement. He was a man who loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and lived his life like it was a grand adventure. Every conversation with him was like the best improv show you’ve ever seen—unpredictable, hilarious, and always from the heart.
Mikey leaves behind a legacy of laughter, a fleet of finely tuned automobiles, and a trail of epic skateboarding legends. His absence will be felt deeply, but the echoes of his laughter and the memories of his boundless energy will continue to inspire all who knew him. In the great gig in the sky, we know Mikey is probably arguing with the angels about the proper way to execute a kickflip or tuning celestial engines to run on stardust. He lived his life like a comic book hero—colorful, bold, and with a flair for the dramatic. And while his final issue may have come to a close, Mikey’s story will forever be a bestseller in the hearts of those who loved him.
Friends and family may sign the online guest register and leave written condolences at WestRiverFuneral.com.
West River Funeral Directors is handling the arrangements.
