Park ranger dies during rescue in Voyageurs National Park

VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK, Minn. — A park ranger died Sunday in Voyageurs National Park while trying to rescue three people from a lake.

Park officials said the ranger, identified as 55-year-old Kevin Grossheim of Kabetogama, responded to "a call for assistance from a distressed civilian vessel on Namakan Lake" late Sunday morning.

The ranger's boat capsized after picking the family up. An initial report by the park that the ranger was towing the family's boat proved to be inaccurate, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said. The three civilians swam safely to shore, but the ranger disappeared.

Grossheim's body was found in the lake around 3:20 p.m., park officials said. There were high winds and rough waters at the time.

"One of the rangers that was out there said he has never seen conditions as wild as they were," Ramsay said.  

Grossheim started as a seasonal ranger at Boston National Historical Park in 1993. He also volunteered with the Kabetogama Fire Department. 

"Ranger Grossheim was a treasured member of the community and served at Voyageurs National Park for more than 20 years," park officials said in a release.  

National Park Service Deputy Director Frank Lands ordered American flags lowered at national parks through sunset Wednesday in Grossheim's honor. Gov. Tim Walz issued a similar order for state buildings in Minnesota and encouraged people, businesses and other organizations to lower their flags, too.  

"Kevin Grossheim was a dedicated ranger and public servant, known for his unwavering commitment to helping others," Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement on Monday. "Minnesota mourns this tragic loss, and requests all flags be lowered in recognition of Ranger Grossheim's service and sacrifice."

His death is under investigation. 

The remote Voyageurs, established in 1975, covers 340 square miles of lakes, forests and streams on Minnesota's border with Canada. Namakan Lake is one of four big lakes in the park, which also has smaller lakes. Namakan is 16 miles long and 7 miles wide at one point. The park is known for boating, camping and snowmobiling; its dark skies; and abundant wildlife, including wolves, bald eagles, moose and beavers.