Marlan Keith Rohlena
Marlan Keith Rohlena
Gresham, Ore.
Marlan Keith Rohlena, 81, of Gresham, Ore., and surrounded by his family, passed away on Aug. 24, 2022. Marlan was born on Dec. 2, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he lived until the late 1960s. He married Barbara Koutny in 1962, and they shared almost 60 years together. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, and daughter Sarah was born in 1971 while stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge, he came to Oregon looking for work and got a job at School Bus Services, the school bus contractor in Gresham. After a few years on the contracting side of the business, he took on the sales responsibility for Western Bus Sales, the Blue Bird school bus dealer in Oregon.
Daughter Mollie was born in February 1977. In 1988 Marlan and Barb purchased Western Bus Sales (WBS) and moved the company to Clackamas and eventually Boring. Thirty-four years later, it remains a true family owned and run business with daughters, Sarah and Mollie and son-in-law, Colby leading the company.
More than 15 years ago, Marlan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and became very involved with Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon as both a client and fundraiser.
Marlan retired from WBS in 2008 and spent time traveling, and enjoying camping and fishing with Sarah, her husband Chad, and their family. Marlan was exceptionally proud of and loved his children, their husbands, his three grandchildren and, most recently, his three great-grandchildren.
In 2021, Marlan and Barb moved to Assisted Living at Bonaventure of Gresham for additional care giving support. The last year at Bonaventure offered fun activities such as playing pool, card games and, most recently, competitive cornhole.
Marlan is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years and steadfast caregiver, Barbara; his daughter, Sarah Jones (Chad) and granddaughter, Kaycee Honey (Casey) and great-grandchildren Tristan, Lyncoln and Collins, and grandson, Caleb; his daughter, Mollie Blagg (Colby) and granddaughter, Norah; his brother, Larry (Barb); his brother, Ron (Robbie); and all his nieces, nephews, extended family and friends from every walk of his life.
He was predeceased by his parents, Emil and Lillian Rohlena; and his sister, Sandra.
Celebration of Life: 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Gresham United Methodist Church at 620 NW Eighth St., Gresham, OR 97030.
Reception Following: 4 to 8 p.m. at Junki’s Riverview Restaurant at 29311 SE Stark St., Troutdale, OR 97060.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon in his honor.
His full obituary may be viewed at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com.
