Maynard James Satrom was born in Page ND on March 25, 1938 to J. Palmer and Mabel (Olstad) Satrom. He grew up helping on the small grain, sheep and cattle farm. He started grade school in Colgate ND then graduated from Page High School in 1956. Maynard began his college education at North Dakota State University then transferred to the University of North Dakota where he received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts in 1961.