Alum of the Month

Clair Wombachumacher
Proctor, MN
1950
English and Social Studies

Tell us about the work you do: I have worked in many positions and have done many types of work. For instance, I've worked for the Railroad (for my book "Ore Dust in Her Shoes"); the University of Minnesota, Duluth; the Army Corp of Engineers; a U.S. Air Force Base; North Star Hearing and others.

A source of pride in your life: My source of pride is my family. I have two adult children; Anne Nynas and Johnny. They have given me seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Best St. Scholastica memory: I never told anyone about my memories of when I lived in the room in Tower Hall. Sometimes at night when everyone slept, I quietly stole down into the beautiful rooms, like the Gold Room, and sat in their throne-like chairs. I felt like I was a princess. Also, my cousin, Mina Lorix, was the physical education teacher and I took archery from her.

Significant influences: My special mentors were two wise older ladies named Lucille Mahoney (who lived to be 100), and Fay Peyton, a lovely woman who felt music was in every painting she did and in every bit of nature.  They both were an inspiration to me.

Greatest professional moment: I have researched, written and published nine books. Two books have been nominated for the North East Book awards. I have hosted the TV show "Claire's Community Showcase" for 15 years, bringing to my audience the great people of the area who do interesting things.

Tell us something interesting about your life: I flew to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to spend a month with my brother, Karl, and his family. From there, I flew to Israel and visited Jerusalem (discussed in my book "101 Adventures in Saudi Arabia/Passage to Jerusalem").

Tell us something interesting about your life: My two sisters attended St. Scholastica: Barbara Wombacher Weidner '55 (Sister Mary Joel) and Mary Wombacher Dankanis '59.

Further education: I took many courses at UMD when I worked in the Bureau of Business and Economic Development, and I took Gerontology courses at St. Scholastica. I'm in a constant learning mode and  have done much research for the books about the area that I have written, including "The Whiteside Island Story," "Codyiew, Buffalo Bill's Link With Duluth," "The Raleigh Street Saga," "Ghostly Tales of Lake Superior," and "The St. Rose Story."

Philosophy: Love the Lord with all your heart and then your family and friends. My slogan is "Grab the brass ring when it comes around, it only comes once."

Impact of the Benedictine values: I have learned from the Benedictine Sisters since I was in the first grade at St. Rose School in Proctor and continued to learn from them through my time at St. Scholastica. Their values of love of learning, respect and Catholic philosophy have followed me all the days of my life.