Marlis Adams

Parshall

Marlis Ann Frovarp was born to Clifford and Margaret (Olson) Frovarp on March 12, 1933. Marlis grew up in Park River, ND. She was the oldest of six children, with two brothers and three sisters. Some of her early years were in country schoolhouses, but most of her school years were in Park River. She graduated from Walsh County Agricultural School in 1951.

On September 28, 1951, Marlis married Max Adams in Park River. They lived in Fargo for a couple of years before moving to Parshall, where she began working as the high school secretary. They became members of the United Church of Christ in 1953. She was a church clerk, served on the church board, and was a member of the women’s fellowship. She was also a Sunday school teacher, choir director, and a member of the service committee, as well as the organist for 35 years. She taught piano for 35 years to dozens of students and organized an annual recital to showcase their talent.

Marlis had many hobbies and interests. She enjoyed reading, gardening, quilting, sewing, crocheting, and counted cross-stitch. She crocheted an afghan for each grandchild upon their high school graduation. She enjoyed getting together with her friends in the Merri Niters Homemakers Club. She liked gardening and preserving her goods. What she loved the most was spending time with her family and being a homemaker.

In 1986, they bought a cabin on Deepwater Bay. It turned out to be a great investment as it became a wonderful place for the family to gather. It was good for swimming, fishing, boating, and campfires. The grandchildren and the great-grandchildren loved going there and spending time with Papa and Grandma.

After Max passed away, Marlis had a new house built at the lake. After a short time, her youngest sister, Betty, came to live with her, where one of them did the cooking and the other did the cleanup. They also had teatime every day and loved watching Hallmark movies together.

Marlis moved to the Garrison CHI St. Alexius Health Nursing Facility on November 26, 2019. She lived there until her passing on September 20, 2025.

Marlis’ loving family: Son – Mel (Melodie Hovey) Adams of Parshall; Daughters – Barbara (Daniel) Hofland of Fort Myers, FL; Karen (Randall) Roberts of Rio Rancho, NM; Wendy (Kelly) Huwe of Bismarck; Grandchildren – Carissa Klabunde of Washburn; Ross Adams of Orange Park, FL; Jill Hofland of Fargo; Adam Hofland of West Fargo; Tescha Roberts of Albuquerque, NM; Megan (Nick) Johnson of Rio Rancho, NM,; Elias Roberts of Albuquerque, NM; Sheila (Robyn) Klabunde of Garrison; Kyle (Amanda Stevens) Sorensen of Williston; Lyal (Shannon Larson) DeCent of Bismarck; Step-Granddaughter – Rachel Huwe of Oak Harbor, WA; 18 great-grandchildren, and another precious baby on the way. Marlis was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Max; one brother and one sister.

Memorial Service: Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. United Church of Christ, Parshall

In place of flowers, memorials are preferred to the United Church of Christ of Parshall (PO Box 416 Parshall, ND 58770)

Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall www.langhansfuneralhome.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.