Mary Patalas was born October 8, 1910, in Mohall, North Dakota. She grew up and was educated in Mohall before finding domestic work in Minot. She married George Harrison Adams on January 7, 1930, in Bottineau, North Dakota. George Adams was born August 9, 1894, in Beresford, South Dakota. In 1903, his family moved to Oakes, North Dakota, to farm. He moved to Lansford, North Dakota, in 1918 to operate his own farm.

George and Mary Adams farmed near Lansford before moving to Oakes in 1941 to purchase the Adams family farm. The couple had three sons, George Jr., James, and Daniel, and three daughters, Marjorie, Margaret, and Clare.

George Adams died May 13, 1985, while Mary died June 8, 1994. Both are buried in Ellendale, North Dakota.

Source: Fargo Forum, 15 May 1985 and 11 June 1994