Barbara Anne St. Clair

BARBARA ANNE ST. CLAIR February 3, 1942 – March 26, 2018    Barbara Anne St. Clair, age 76, of Park Rapids, MN peacefully entered Heaven’s glory on Monday morning, March 26th, 2018, surrounded by her loved ones at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN.    Barb was born legally blind on February 3rd, 1942 in Albert Lea, MN to Robert and Mary (Hennessy) Anderson. As a girl she attended the MN School for the Blind in Faribault, MN until her junior year of high school when she transferred to Roosevelt HS in Minneapolis, when she graduated with the class of 1961. She then went on to attend St. Katherine’s University in St. Paul, and then transferred to Mankato State University where she received her bachelor’s degree as a speech pathologist. She then gained employment with Albert Lea, MN Public Schools as a speech pathologist. In January of 1968, she entered the world renowned, Hazelden Treatment Center to conquer her addiction to alcohol and then had lived her life sober for over 49 years until the time of her death. On December 13, 1969 she was united in marriage to Patrick Joseph St. Clair, Sr. in Minneapolis. They were blessed with three sons: Joseph, Rob, and Patrick. She was a loving mother who devoted her life to her boys. In 1974, Barb moved with her family to Lake George, MN where she happily cared for her family and sold Avon to supplement the family income. In 1984, she began attending Bemidji State University where she earned her teaching degree. She then taught as a tutor at the Park Rapids Middle School for a number of years. Barb loved working outdoors raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor. Throughout her life, Barb put much time and energy into helping others achieve sobriety through AA and Al-Anon. She deeply treasured the time she could spend with her granddaughter, Lacey.    She will be lovingly remembered by her three sons: Joseph (Heather) St. Clair of Lake George, MN, Rob (Nicki) St. Clair of Becida, MN, and Patrick (Kannika) St. Clair, Jr. who has served for 18 years in the US Navy and is currently based in Guam; one granddaughter, Lacey St. Clair; two sisters: Midge (Howard) Glenna of River Falls, WI; and Maggie Russek of Bloomington, MN; a special cousin, Mick (Jan) Walker of Bloomington, MN as well as many dearly loved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.    Barb was preceded in death by her parents and her former husband, Patrick Joseph St. Clair, Sr.