Grant Harrison Malme

Grant Harrison Malme, 92, passed away at the Ridgewood Care Center on December 24, 2014. Grant was born in Racine on May 3, 1922, the youngest of three sons born to Gustav (Gus) and Ruby (née Hanschke) Malme.

His mother was a piano teacher and his father operated the well-known Malme Photography Studio in the 1930’s and 40’s. Grant graduated from Park High School and entered the Army Air Corps in WWII serving in France where he often provided musical entertainment for both officers and enlisted men alike.

After the war he lived with his oldest brother and family in California while studying music at the University of Southern California. Homesick for Racine, he returned here, continued his study at the Chicago Musical College where he received a Bachelor of Music degree, and then began teaching piano.

Grant was a co-founder of the Racine Music Teachers Association. For nearly 60 years he was the organist and pianist at the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Racine. He continued active teaching until his retirement in 2007 when he moved into the Home Harbor Assisted Living Facility on Ohio Ave. Later, due to failing health, he moved to the Ridgewood Care Center.

Grant leaves behind two nephews, two great-nieces and a great-great-nephew in California, as well as his friends and many former students in Racine.

Memorials may be sent to the Music and More Concert Series at the First Presbyterian Church. A memorial gathering will be scheduled at a future date with interment at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover.

The Malme family would like to acknowledge the staff of the Ridgewood Care Center for their compassionate and caring attention of their uncle and for the many long-distance telephone updates.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI   (262) 634-7888