INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn — A memorial service has been set for a National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement ranger who died in the line of duty while attempting to rescue a family of campers stranded by hazardous weather.
Officials at Voyageurs National Park announced that the service to honor ranger Kevin Grossheim will take place at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 13, in the gym of International Falls High School. The memorial will also be livestreamed by Koochiching County Community Television Station KCC-TV on both the station's Facebook and YouTube accounts.
The 55-year-old Grossheim responded to an emergency call the afternoon of Oct. 6 from a family of three that was stranded on an island on Namakan Lake in the Voyageurs National Park wilderness. Conditions were treacherous, with wind gusts exceeding 40 miles per hour and waves of five to six feet.
Grossheim, a 23-year Voyageurs National Park veteran and expert boater, picked up the stranded campers and was towing their boat to shore when his craft began taking on water, eventually capsizing. The three people he rescued were able to swim to safety but Grossheim didn't surface.
His body was later recovered from Namakan Lake following a three-hour search.
Those who knew Grossheim described him as an experienced outdoorsman and boater "with a servant's heart." Along with being a ranger, Grossheim served as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic in his community of Kabetogema.
"Quiet guy, big heart, and just loved to help people," said St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay. "He was built for this job."
NPS officials say support continues to pour in for Grossheim's family. Those who would like to send a note or expression of condolence can send them to:
The Grossheim Family (In the care of Voyageurs National Park) 360 Highway 11 East, International Falls, MN 56649.
Information about donation opportunities will be available in the coming days.