TRINITY THIN ELK

Trinity Thin Elk, 22, of Lake Andes, died Monday, August 8, 2022 at his home in Lake Andes. Funeral services were Friday, August 12 at the White Swan Community Center in Lake Andes. Burial was in St. Phillip’s Episcopal Cemetery in Lake Andes. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

Trinity Adam Thin Elk was born on June 26, 2000 to his mother Leilani Costello and Melvin Leo Hopkins Jr.. He was raised by Leilani and his father Laverne Costello Sr., who was loved dearly. He is a grandson to Darcy Dion and Calvin Thin Elk as well as Melvin Leo Hopkins Sr. and Jeannie Houseman.

Trinity resided in Lake Andes and attended school at Andes Central, where he met his companion O’Liveyah Habben. They had three beautiful children: Ivy Thin Elk, Elliot Thin Elk and Everleigh Thin Elk.

Trinity was always known to have a smile on his face or a joke to tell. He enjoyed taking his family on fishing trips and muddy back road cruises. Trinity loved his babies and spent most of his time raising them. He was a great father and a true friend. Trinity’s passion was fixing and repairing cars, which he did very well. Trinity spent time working for the City of Lake Andes and S&K Trucking.

Trinity is survived by his mother, Leilani Thin Elk and father, Laverne Costello Sr., as well as his father Melvin Leo Hopkins Jr.; his companion O’Liveyah Habben and their children Ivy, Elliot and Everleigh Thin Elk, his brothers: Laverene Jr., Gregory, Layton and Myles Costello (Lake Andes), Stephaun and Kyler (Eagle Butte); and his sisters: Aliyah Zephier (Marty), Mia and Alyssa (Eagle Butte), as well as his siblings Dayton, Nijah, and Christina of Wyoming.

Trinity was preceded in death by his grandpa Melvin Leo Hopkins Sr., great-grandpas: Lloyd and Denny Houseman; and grandma Rita Gray.