Marlyce Arlene Rugroden Gholston passed away on November 8, 2019, with her family at her side. She was born on July 18, 1936, in Walker Village, Minn., to parents Violet R. Nagel and Norman O. Rugroden. When she was five years old, the family -- including older brother Cordelle (Corkey) -- moved to Portland. They started two grocery stores in Southeast before establishing Rugroden Grocery in a converted Victorian home at SW 11th and Hall Street. The family lived upstairs, and Marlyce worked hard from an early age stocking shelves, slicing meat, running the register and helping patrons with their groceries.
Marlyce attended Shattuck Grade School and Lincoln High School, both in its current location and former one on the Park Blocks, graduating in 1954. She played both piano and violin, and took up dancing with “The Card Shufflers” while at Lincoln. She later attended Lewis & Clark College, where she joined the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and remained a member for the rest of her life.
Loyalty was one of Marlyce’s greatest strengths. When she committed to something, she was in for the long term. On her 18th birthday, Marlyce climbed Mt. Hood; she remained a member of the Mazamas for more than 65 years. In 1956 she accepted a position with the Oregon State Bar (OSB), where she remained for 51 years. Marlyce wore many hats at the OSB, eventually focusing on attorney admission, and retired as Director of Admissions in 2007.
With secure employment, Marlyce next set her sights on becoming a homeowner. She purchased a house on Tryon Creek in Portland from a woman named Leone. At the time, banks did not give loans to women so her father had to co-sign. And continuing her passion for dancing from high school, she joined a folk troupe and met fellow dancer and postal worker Glenn Gholston. They wed on November 21, 1959, and raised four children: Mark, Norman, Arlene and Leone. Marlyce always wanted two boys and two girls so she could form a dancing troupe. Despite lessons and coaching that dream never materialized – but she was never disappointed in her children.
Marlyce had a special way of combining her family, career and hobbies. Since daycare was not readily available, she took her children to work. The all grew up alphabetizing attorney addresses mailing plates and sharpening pencils for the bar exam. She drafted her sorority sisters to proctor for the bar exam for many years. And she was deeply appreciative of the many volunteers who served on the Board of Bar Examiners throughout her career, becoming good friends with many but declaring all of them to be her favorites. Most received hand-decorated T-shirts as gifts when their terms ended.
Those T-shirts were just the start. Marlyce was devoted to all types of crafts, especially ceramics and paper crafts. In retirement, she continued with her crafting hobbies while also spending time with her children and grandchildren: Glenn, Grant, Grace and Jubilee. She also continued working with the OSB’s Legal Heritage Interest Group and joined the board of the Lincoln High School Alumni Association. She also spent all the time she could with her family and found time to travel, including Hawaii, Italy, Montana, Star Trek convention in Vegas and a “Battlestar Galatica” exhibition in Seattle.
Marlyce is survived by her children, grandchildren and many friends. Her husband preceded her in 2007, also at age 83.
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