Kenny Adrian – Obituary for newspapers and also for the Program at the memorial service

On December 28, 2021, Kenneth William Adrian (57), White River, passed away suddenly of complications from cancer. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 11 a.m. CDT at the Community Event Center in White River, SD with burial to follow at a later date.

Born on October 31, 1964 to William “Bill” and Donna (Shouldis) Adrian, Ken’s adventures started at birth by making his entrance in the elevator at St. Mary’s Hospital, Pierre, SD. They lived near Hayes, SD before moving to the family ranch southwest of White River.

Ken was an avid reader of superhero comic books, western adventure novels, and Star Wars. As a young man, Ken enjoyed football and track. As a running back Ken helped lead his team to a third place finish at State Football playoffs in 1981.

Kenny enjoyed hunting, firearms and reloading, wood carving, and leatherwork. In 4-H, he focused on range management and horse projects. An excellent horseman, he trained his Pinto horses himself, Rex and Renegade.

Ken attended a one-room country school, graduated from White River High School (1982), and attended Chadron State College for agriculture and business. The ranching, mechanical, construction, and business skills Ken learned working with his family made him a talented man. He returned to the ranch before starting his trucking business. With his Dad, Ken hauled livestock and other loads. He enjoyed challenges and was always thinking of the next step. In the 1990s, Ken went to a higher level focusing on interstate heavy oversize equipment loads. He retrofitted two trucks to accommodate these extreme loads. Some loads weighed more than 200,000 pounds! Ken’s career took him coast to coast, including dangerous mountain passes and the heart of New York City. He enjoyed talking through challenging situations with his Dad and business partners. His most recent endeavor was the heavy haul of large reels of oil field steel coil tubing from Texas to North Dakota. Ken was an expert at navigating the huge equipment through metropolitan areas. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Trucking can be a lonesome and stressful life, but blessed with his Grandmother’s “gift of gab” Ken made conversation easily and was kind and generous. Once on I-94 west of Fargo, the weather turned into a blizzard. A veteran was stalled. Kenny got the fellow into his warm truck to endure the storm. He also helped a stranded lady with food and drink, then three days later when the weather cleared, Ken pulled her out of the snow. On another haul, Ken stopped to help a jeep stranded way out on the salt flats in Utah
.
On September 28, 1991, Ken married Kim Donner, eventually settling in Kimball, NE. Together they had two children: Nolan and Kaden. Ken did much remodeling and landscaping for his family’s home and businesses. Ken called home nightly to keep in touch with family, ranch happenings, and community activities. Ken loved his kids and was very proud of them and their achievements: Nolan who now lives in Fargo, ND, and Kaden, a student at School of Mines, Rapid City.

Ken is survived by his parents William and Donna Adrian, White River; sister Colette Adrian Kessler (Brian Baus), Pierre; brother Chuck (Bobbi) Adrian; and sister-in-law Janelle Adrian (Newlly O’Brien), all of White River; his children: Nolan Adrian, Fargo, and Kaden Adrian, Rapid City; and six nieces and nephews and three great nieces.

Ken is preceded in death by his brother Jeffery D. Adrian, White River.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in honor of Ken to the Mellette County Community Foundation, White River, or to a charity of choice. Cards may be sent to 224 East 12th Street, White River, SD 57579.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse