Hamlet, Germaine "Gerre" (Johnston, Janicke) Germaine Agnes Hamlet, Johnston, Janicke was born January 20, 1924 in North Minneapolis to Thecla Janicke (nee Rakowski) and Frank Janicke. Mother died peacefully on July 5, 2019 at North Memorial Hospital at 95. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Jerry R Hamlet and Claude H Johnston, three sisters Severance McNeal (Florida), Adrienne Cook (Texas) and Marcella Ackermann (Robbinsdale); foster daughter Janet Malmanger of St Cloud (Steve) & her son Larry Lee Pavek. Germaine is survived by her children Claudia Johnston-Madison (John) of St Louis Park, Steve Johnston (Betty) of Ramsey, Kevin Johnston (Anna) of Blaine, Sue McNamara of Iowa, John Johnston of Coon Rapids, Clarissa Johnston of Mounds View and step children Lisa Hamlet Comino of New York and Ron Hamlet (Stacy) of Texas; foster daughter Cindy Eyre of Indiana, 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; plus many nieces and nephews and good friends. Mother graduated from Ascension grade school and St Margaret High School. She met our dad, Claude, at the old drug store on the corner of Emerson and West Broadway. It was love at first site, they married in 1944. Dad was assigned to Okinawa during the war. During that time, Mother worked at Janicke Furs on West Broadway and lived with her parents. After the war, they moved to Fremont Ave in north Minneapolis. In 1959, they built a new home in Columbia Heights on Highland Lake (now part of Kodiak Regional Park). Later, Mom was very involved with Catholic Charities and we had the great experience of sharing our lives with many foster children over the years. In 1965, Columbia Heights newspaper "The Record" wrote a story of her work titled "Six Kids Already, What's three More? Says Heights Foster Mom." After 25 years of marriage and mutual divorce, our stay-at-home mother needed to re-enter the workforce. A friend of hers was a recruiter and found her a position in the credit department at Buttrey's. Mom was not sure, but her friend encouraged her "Gerre, you can do this you had six kids, remember?" She went from there to JC Penny, Young Quinlan and other companies - always moving up the ladder. Along the way she met a great guy, Jerry Hamlet, and they were married in 1972. She eventually started her own business, G.A. Hamlet Associates, and she managed small shopping malls. She retired in 1989. We are grateful that Mom taught us many life lessons and we miss her very much. She was proud of her Polish ancestry, so we say "Kochamy cie Mama" ('We love you Mother'). At Mother's request, private services have been held. There will be a celebration of life at a future date. Cremation Society of Minnesota 763-560-3100.

Published on July 21, 2019