Kara Dawn Pavelich
Lutsen First Responders and Cook County Ambulance were called to a home on Deeryard Lake in Lutsen at 11:32 a.m. on Thursday, September 6. Kara Dawn Pavelich, 44, had fallen approximately 20 feet from a second-story balcony.
It is not known exactly when Pavelich fell. Her husband, Mark Pavelich, 54, told Cook County Sheriff’s Office Deputies that he had been sleeping because of some medical issues. When he awoke, he found that Kara had fallen and he made the 911 call. He and his neighbors performed CPR until the emergency medical responders arrived.
Kara Pavelich was transported to Cook County North Shore Hospital but did not survive the trauma of the fall.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation and concluded that Kara Pavelich had fallen from the balcony, which had no railing, while trying to get better cell phone reception. A cell phone was found on the ground next to where she had fallen. The death is being considered accidental.
Kara Pavelich grew up in Tofte. She was home-schooled by her parents, Brian and Beverlee Burmachuk, and was well known for her musical talents.
She married Mark Pavelich, a former UMD and NHL hockey star, in 1994. The couple moved to their home on Deeryard Lake in 1995 and they worked together as land developers.
Kara Pavelich also began painting with acrylics and was a regular at local art galleries, art festivals and at the Cook County Farm and Craft Market in Grand Marais. One of her most popular offerings were small masterpieces—beautiful North Shore scenes on beach rocks.
As word of Pavelich’s death spread, the community shared its sorrow in Facebook postings. Friends wrote, “So sad and tragic to have lost such a ray of light,” “Heavy hearts in the world of art,” and “What a tragedy… She was an amazing artist and very kind soul.”
A private family memorial service is being held Saturday morning, September 15. A reception for friends will be held at 7263 Tofte Park Road at 2 p.m. that day.
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