Paula St. Clair

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Paula St. Clair on April 1, 2024. She was born on January 26, 1950, in Medford, WI, and lived most of her life in the Wausau area.   We are blessed to know that she is now with her beloved Lord Jesus.  In Christ, Paula lives!

Paula was a devoted mother to her children Terra (Steve) Vincent, David St. Clair, and Chris (Hanna) St. Clair, and a loving grandmother to Jackson, Cole, Eli, and Jonathan. She was also survived by her siblings Roxanne Purgett, Jacqueline Suthard, Linda Bruner, Bryon Thorson, Mark Thorson, Rhonda (Duke) Thorson, Brenda Behroyan, Wayne (Jackie) Thorson, Billy (Lena) Thorson, and Susan Thorson, as well as her bonus mom, Delores Habeck and bonus sisters Lynn (Keith) Becken and Jeannie (Mike) Pardo. Paula is preceded in death by her parents Donald and Berdene Thorson, her bonus father Merle Habeck, and sister Merry Beth Moran.

After growing up in Medford, Paula went to school in LaCrosse and then moved to Wausau where she met and married Dave St. Clair.  During their 28 year marriage, they raised their 3 children in Kronenwetter.   Paula was a constant caregiver.   It was her lifestyle.  She was always there for her kids growing up and known to be a mom-like figure to their friends too.  She loved gathering people around her kitchen table and cookies were her love language.  She baked cookies for her kids, her grandkids, and for other people’s kids.   If Paula was coming over, her cookies were coming too.   

She loved to remind people how much she loved them through letters and cards:  birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and just about any occasion.  We still hear people say “Paula still sends me a card, even after all these years!”.

In the fall, she would make dozens of apple pies in one day when apples were in season.  She was a talented seamstress and made things from costumes to quilts.  She loved to grow flowers and vegetables.  

Paula also shared her heart for caregiving in her professional roles.  She held strong convictions that all people deserved dignity and high-quality care and had a special heart for elderly people and people with disabilities.  She was a selfless servant to people who needed someone to stand in the gap for them.

In honoring Paula's memory and celebrating her remarkable life, there will be a visitation held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1901 Kowalski Rd., Kronenwetter, on April 27 from 9-11am, with a memorial service to follow at 11am.