Our amazing wife, mom, grandma, sister, and friend, Maryla Gay Adams, peacefully passed away on January 16, 2020 while surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Standardville, UT on July 1, 1947 to Carl and Verne Mortensen and grew up on the family farm in Elmo, UT. Her fun-loving nature, mischievous personality, and comedic sense of humor brightened the lives of everyone who knew her. She was a true force of nature who positively impacted the lives of many people throughout Carbon and Emery counties.
Maryla married the love of her life, Jack Adams, on April 16, 1966, later solemnized in the Manti Temple and sealed to their family for time and all eternity. They had a loving and devoted romance that burned brightly for 53 years. She adored and cherished their three children and was committed to providing them with as many fun, adventurous, and memorable experiences as possible. Maryla loved to travel, planning many epic road trips that are legendary among her family and friends. She always said, “Where there is heart room there is leg room,” which meant her car was always full of many more people than seatbelts.
Maryla was a keen businesswoman who founded and ran multiple businesses. She was most known for the Craft Corner, a popular store in Price that she co-owned with her sister Ricki. She loved being in the community teaching classes to social, civic, and church groups, or providing flowers for many of the community’s weddings. Most of all, she loved being able to work side by side with her sister and best friend, Ricki.
Maryla had an indomitable spirit and was fiercely competitive. Her strong milking arms beat many a man in an arm wrestle. Sports were a major part of her life, and she loved the camaraderie, fun, and thrill they provided. She was instrumental in promoting girls’ and women’s softball and volleyball leagues in Emery County. She was an incredibly gifted coach whose positive, fun, and supportive approach inspired her girls to be the best players they could be and increased their self-confidence in all areas of their lives.
She is survived by her sweetheart, Jack; children, Lane (Racquel) Adams of Price, Lisa (James) Winn of Elmo, and Carl Lynn (Michelle) Adams of Salt Lake City; 12 grandchildren, Lexi, Dalton, Rylee, Brant, Jace, Jaxon, Gracie, Hallie, Jacob, Grayson, Naomi, and Phoebe; one great-grandchild, Jordi; brother, Elroy (Jan) Mortensen; and brothers-in-law, Allen Edwards and Aullen Larsen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Ricki and Vanee, brother Dennis, sisters-in-law Phyllis and Janet, and her sweet baby Jaqui.
Funeral service, Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 11:00 a.m., at the Elmo Ward Building. Family will receive friends Tuesday evening at the church from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and Wednesday morning beginning at 10:00 a.m. Internment, Elmo Town Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.