Dorothy Lucille Morbitzer

Dorothy Morbitzer, 95 Dorothy Lucille (Romp) Morbitzer, 95, of Yucaipa, CA, died peacefully in her home at Wildwood Villa Estates on January 11, 2015. Born August 27, 1919 in Rockford, IL, Dorothy is predeceased by her parents, Howard and Jennie Romp, brother Leslie Romp, sister Norma Jonas, husband of 67 years, Walter Morbitzer and daughter Cathy Tanner. Dorothy was raised in Westlake, OH. She and Walter met while attending high school there. Her parents owned a small grocery store and Walt's parents owned a bakery. They married in 1938 and were soon blessed with the arrival of their firstborn, Judy, followed by Cathy and Tom. Walt joined the Navy near the end of WWII and served repairing diesel engines in Japan. He shipped out from San Diego and after the war, he and Dorothy decided, as so many vets did, to give up shoveling snow in Ohio for those beautiful California climates in 1951. They first settled in Arcadia, CA, but within a few years chose to relocate the family to the beautiful farm country of Yucaipa; following dear friends Jack and Louise Smith. Through a hand-shake deal and swap of properties, they were soon the proud and busy owners of a chicken ranch on Yucaipa Blvd. in the Dunlap area. They worked the ranch and other various jobs, while raising their family and becoming active in community work in the Chamber of Commerce, BPW, American Legion, PTA, Miss Yucaipa Contest and many other areas. The changing climate of the chicken industry in the mid-50's called for creativity with their land and livelihood. A salesman stopped at their house once to demonstrate a rotisserie machine. Within a few months, Walt had built a small take-out restaurant next to their home and the long-standing family business of Morbitzer's BBQ was born. One more child, Jenny, was born at that time as well. Dorothy reached back to her mother's special recipes while Walt mastered the machinery to BBQ chicken, ribs and eventually turkeys, large roasts, etc. Two additions were added to the original restaurant with picnic tables available on the west side as well as in the family's front yard. They eventually added catering services - providing a wide variety of meals for weddings, banquets, and even Edison Company picnics, which numbered in the thousands. Friends introduced Walt and Dorothy to camping, boating and water skiing, which became the family's primary recreation for decades. The Salton Sea and the Colorado River hold a myriad of special memories for family and friends. Walt and Dorothy took up golf as well, and Dorothy was part of the women's club at the Calimesa Golf Course into her 80's. Morbitzer's BBQ was sold in 1976. Dorothy spent her early retirement years helping with registration at Crafton Hills College and working part time at Santa Fe Federal Savings and Loan. Eventually, she narrowed her work to volunteering at Yucaipa First Baptist Church, the women's club at the Calimesa Golf Course and giving most of her time and energy to her family and friends. Dorothy was always quick to fix a meal, serve on a committee, visit a sick friend and go on adventures with one of her 12 treasured grandchildren. Dorothy is survived by her children Judy Mouns of Cupertino, CA, Tom Morbitzer of Highland, CA and Jenny Cryder of Canby, OR; as well as her 12 beloved grandchildren and 22 precious great grandchildren! Daughter Cathy Tanner passed away in 2010. Private services were held at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetary in Redlands, CA. Memorial donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 1461 E. Cooley Dr., Colton, CA 92324, First Baptist Church, 34784 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa, CA 92399 or Yucaipa Valley Welfare, 35075 Ave. B, Yucaipa, CA 92399. Services were handled by Emmerson-Bartlett Mortuary in Yucaipa, CA.