Adrienne Kills Small

Adrienne Kills Small, 48, of Mandan, ND, passed away Monday, February 10, 2025, at Sanford Hospital, Bismarck, ND. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Wakpala High School, Wakpala, SD. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Wakpala. A wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Wakpala High School with a procession at 5:00 p.m., from the Hwy 12 and Wakpala junction. 

In loving memory of Adrienne Lynn Kills Small “Asia”, born February 8, 1977, to Sgt. Randolph Kills Small and Mavis (Many Horses) Kills Small in Bismarck, North Dakota. Adrienne attended elementary and high school in Wakpala, SD. She was a spontaneous little girl and had beautiful long brown hair. I always wanted to braid it, but no she did not like her hair fixed. She was a compassionate and loving sister to us all. She lived life to the fullest, always laughing and joking around with everyone. She could be stubborn too, it always had to be her way. Adrienne shared her life with many hugs and cries, but she was the most honest and real woman I knew, she would tell you what was on her mind. That is what made her beautiful and unique with no fear of being who she was, without ridicule. She was very strong and confident, independent in her own way, a soldier’s daughter. 

Adrienne had children with Chad Mellette, Carlin “Sonny” Mellette, only baby girl Chantel Mellette, and her baby boy Ashton Kills Small. That was her life, to love and be there for her children the best she knew how. She was blessed with many grandchildren, whom she adored and thought of often, and shared many stories of them. Adrienne lived in Mandan, ND to be close to her daughter and son, and to watch her grandchildren grow. Adrienne worked at hotels as an auditor, she liked working with numbers and night work. She also worked as an MHA loan representative, as she was very good at customer service. Adrienne had many accomplishments and worked hard for her family.

Adrienne was a fighter, and she was strong in so many ways, but she accepted her fate with faith, and we prayed for the relatives to guide and encourage her journey. She loved it when Joe and Joni Brings Plenty came to sing and pray for her, it made her happy. 

She is survived by her brothers: Loren, Valdin, and Darnell; and sisters: Ellen, Randee, Brenda, Darlis, and Ardyce.

Adrienne Lynn Kills Small “Asia” was preceded in her final journey by her father, Sgt. Randolph Kills Small; mother, Mavis Kills Small (Many Horses); baby sister, Corinne Kills Small; grandmothers, Elsie Uses Many (Mad Bear) and Madaline Oka; grandfather, Virgil Many Horses; nephew, Jalen (Mariah and Baby Joseph) Avery Mellette and the angel Tiffany Shaving; and many other relatives to guide her now. 

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Adrienne’s arrangements.