Germaine Martha Malstrom

Germaine Martha (Katch “Peterson”) Malstrom    8/21/1939 - 6/5/2025 

Germaine was born in Hammond Indiana, and moved with her mother and grandparents, at  the age of three, to Sherman Township Michigan. In 1957 she graduated from Mason County Central High School, and was an award winning seamstress. After high school she worked at JC Penny’s in Ludington doing the window displays. In 1959, she married Jerry Malstrom, and the Airforce brought them to Salina Kansas, where she had her first son. After many moves, Jerry received his college degree and Germaine got her PHT (Pushing Hubby Through) signed by Central Michigan University’s school president. Another kid later they settled on the family hobby farm in Ludington. For the next two decades Germaine spent her days cooking, baking, canning and tending to her almost five acre garden and orchard. Don’t ever tell her you’re bored or you were sent to pull weeds. Many summer potlucks would feature Germaine’s large bowl of raspberries freshly picked from her garden. She would grow strawberries, tomatoes, peas, corn, carrots, radishes, squash, watermelons, pumpkins, and had an orchard full of fruit trees. She also loved flowers, and had many flower gardens including a heart shaped one of a dozen rosebushes. 

Germaine loved being busy on the farm, but Jerry had other plans. The last few decades together they traveled and stopped at yard sales from Florida to Las Vegas with long stops in Georgia and Michigan where the grandkids lived. Eventually they landed in Newport News, Virginia, where Germaine got involved in making baby blankets for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s Pregnancy Outreach. When Jerry passed she volunteered with sorting and packing up baby clothes and diapers for new moms who chose life. She loved seeing the babies when the moms brought them in. She was very grateful for the friends she met in this ministry. 

Germaine is survived by her children, Kelvin (Kim) Malstrom, Kraig (Patty) Malstrom, Kendal (Natalie) Malstrom, and Kristin (Jeremy) Sommer. Grandma also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Justin (Betty) Miller, Maegan Stunkard, Kody Malstrom, Matthew (Laura) Conway, Kyler (Haley) Malstrom, Brianna (Joe) Melvin, Alexa Malstrom, John Paul Sommer, Kylie Sommer, and Kailynn Sommer. We won't forget her honorary grandchildren Taylor and Marissa Huntley. She had eight great grandchildren, Ava Miller, Henrik Stunkard, Benjamin Stunkard, Brendan Conway, Ryan Conway, Caleb Conway, Maya Melvin and Lainey Melvin. Germaine has a surviving sister, Christine (Daniel) Whitaker and brothers, Dennis Peterson and Richard (Peggy) Peterson. 

Germaine is preceded in death by her husband Jerry, who passed after being married 60 wonderful years; her parents; John Katch and Irene Peterson and brother, Raymond Peterson. 

The family will receive friends at 10:00 am, Thursday June 12, 2025, at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Newport News, VA. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 am, presided by Fr. Dan Beeman. Memorial contributions in Germaine’s name can be directed to the Pregnancy Outreach at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church by clicking HERE.

Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions in Hampton, 757-825-8070.