Marvalee Jorritsma

Marvalee Jorritsma May 16, 1938 – May 5, 2025
Marvalee Jorritsma, age 86, a longtime resident of Calimesa, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2025.
Born on May 16, 1938, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Neal and Pauline Johnson, Marvalee was the eldest of three children. Her early childhood took her from the farms of Nebraska to the horse stables of Southern California. Her family eventually settled in San Diego, where Marvalee graduated from Hoover High School and later attended San Diego State.
She had a love for dolls, dance, and performing-even tap dancing to Chattanooga Choo-Choo in homemade costumes at Balboa Park. She worked various jobs throughout high school and early adulthood, including at the Academy Theater and McFarland Candy in North Park.
Marvalee met George Jorritsma through his sister, Sharlene, at church. Sparks flew at a youth beach party where she dropped roasted a marshmallow onto George's eyebrow-a moment they would laugh about for decades. They married on November 18, 1958, and built a life full of hard work, family, and faith. In 1959, they moved to Calimesa and purchased a chicken ranch, which they ran together while raising four children.
Marvalee worked tirelessly alongside George-gathering and processing eggs, planting flowers, managing an RV storage business, and supplementing the family's income by cleaning houses and working at Kiss Bootery. She still made time to sew Easter dresses, cheerleading uniforms, Halloween costumes, and even leisure suits for George and the boys. Her cookie jar was never empty, and neither was her calendar-filled with birthdays, anniversaries, and thank-you notes written in her familiar hand.
Deeply rooted in her faith, Marvalee was a devoted member of the First Christian Reformed Church (now The River CRC) in Redlands. She led young girls' ministries, baked for countless events, and never missed a baby or bridal shower. Alongside George, she welcomed many with warm smiles and hugs each Sunday morning.
Marvalee was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, George; her parents, Neal and Pauline Johnson; her sister, Janice Silvernail; her brother, Ron Johnson; and her grandson, Harrison Prins. We take great comfort knowing she is now in Jesus' loving arms, reunited with those she loved.
She is survived by her children: Sandi (Paul) Wagner of Yucaipa; Debbie (Bruce) Prins of Calimesa; Doug (Renee) Jorritsma of Redlands; and Mike (Donna) Jorritsma of Holland, MI. She was a proud grandmother to Gerrit (Erin) Wagner, Jessica Wagner, Cooper Wagner, Mitchell Prins, Cameron Prins, Clara (Brad) Campbell, Austin (Casey) Jorritsma, Tanner (Jamie) Jorritsma, Sierra (Mitchell) Hoezee, Hannah (Taylor) Pruis, Luke (Katy) Jorritsma, and Jordan (Liz) Jorritsma. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Noah and Hollyn Wagner, Analiese Pruis, Willa and Rhys Jorritsma.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at The River Christian Reformed Church, 459 E. Highland Ave., Redlands, CA. If you are unable to attend in person, the service is available on line at www.youtube.com/@therivercrc.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redlands Christian School, 105 Tennessee Street, Redlands, CA 92373. To send flowers to the family of Marvalee, please visit our floral store.