Cynthia Kay Malm

On May 2, 2024, at 5:00 pm Cindy Malm passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her daughters and one of her best friends after battling illness for the last year.

Cindy was born in Council Bluff, IA to Cleo and Doris Wohlenhaus on October 7, 1951, and grew up with her younger brother Brent Wohlenhaus in Lewis, IA. Cindy and Brent grew up helping their mom and dad on the farm in a home full of love and laughter. She went to school at Griswold High School, graduating in 1969. Cindy was loved by many during her high school years enjoying Cheerleading and hanging out with friends. Cindy has always been known for her beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair. The friends she made in High School were lifelong friends who still would get together and go on trips each year and have the time of their lives.

After High School Cindy moved 1200 miles away from her friends and family to go to college in Pocatello Idaho at Idaho State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. Cindy absolutely loved acting and was in several plays with a few leading roles. Cindy later married Martell Malm and adopted his 3-yr old daughter Danielle Malm (now Owens). Cindy had several

miscarriages until her first born Alexis Malm came into this world on February 6, 1978. One year later Cindy would give birth to Justin Malm on August 1 st , 1979, who tragically passed away on August 2 1979. Cindy was then told it was too dangerous to have any more children, but she was determined to have another child with or without the help of her doctor or husband and she gave birth to Amber Malm (now Rowberry) on May 19, 1981. Cindy lived for her children and her grandchildren. There was not a day that went by that she was not thinking about them, talking with or about them, and being with them. She truly made this world a better place for anyone she ever had contact with and will be truly missed. Cindy loved reading, watching movies, going to yard sales, visiting with friends, but above all she loved her family.

Cindy began her law enforcement career starting as a Detention Officer working for the Bannock County Sheriff office. After about 3 years became a corporal, then about 2 years later to sergeant and after another 5 years Cindy was promoted to Commander over the detention center and was the first female in the state of Idaho to run a detention center later being awarded on May 3, 1995 “Correctional Officer of the Year” by the American Jail Association.

Cindy wore many hats during this period of her life including being an instructor at ISU and POST academy and became partner in “Bill Lynn Training and Consulting” where she also taught law enforcement officers across the nation, and she did this all while being a single mother to her 2 daughters at home after her divorce in 1993. Cindy Retired from the Bannock County jail and began working at Fort Hall Police Department then went to Madison County Sheriff office as the Jail Administrator. Cindy later retired from the Madison County Sheriff department and finished her Career working for the Idaho Sherif’s Association as the jail inspector for Idaho. Cindy loved what she did and was very passionate and was a phenomenal resource to jails across the state. Cindy had to retire due to her medical issues in June of 2023.

Honestly if she could have, she would never have retired if it was up to her as she loved her career and all of the people and amazing friends she made along the way.

Cindy is survived by her Brother Brent Wohlenhaus (Cindy Wohlenhaus), Daughter Alexis Malm (Will Kraus), Daughter Amber Rowberry (Bryan Rowberry), Daughter Dani Owens (Kent Owens), Granddaughter Nakiya Malm (Ryan McCann), Grandson Malakai Malm, Grandson Eric Rowberry (Heather Young), Granddaughter Dakotah Rowberry, Grandson Gage Rowberry, Grandson Kaiden Rowberry, Granddaughter Kimberly Christopherson, Grandson Sean Christopherson, Great Granddaughter Adaline Rowberry, Great Grandson Zaiden Lefevre, Great Granddaughter Hope Kropp and all other friends and family members. 

Cindy is preceded in death by her Grandpa Otto Wohlenhaus Grandma Lulu Wohlenhaus, Grandpa Otis Brunk and Grandma Ellen Brunk, Dad Cleo Wohlenhaus, Mom Doris Wohlenhaus, and Son Justin Malm.

Celebration of life will be scheduled and announced soon on social media outlets including Cindys personal Facebook page Alexis and Ambers pages, and Capt. Malm’s officers of Hope Facebook group.  

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