Obituary of Karen A Vavra
Karen Ailien Hill Vavra, 78, of Duluth, MN passed away peacefully on September 28th, 2022 with her family by her side. She was born on March 6, 1944 in Cloquet, MN to Sakri and Aili Hill. She graduated from Central High School in 1962. She married the love of her life Dale Vavra in 1963 and they began their life story together moving to Valdosta, GA where Dale finished pilot training in the United States Air Force. In 1977 they built their dream home in the Kenwood community of Duluth, MN and raised their two children there, Stephanie and Mark who she was so very proud of. Karen was an inspiration to all women, especially military spouses. She showed that you could raise a family, build a house, and work a full-time job all at the same time your spouse was deployed or TDY. She worked as an assistant librarian for several years at the College of St. Scholastica and then owned and operated the Plaid Panda children’s clothing store with her dear friend Midge Kumsha. Karen adored her two grandchildren Delaney and Claire spending all the time she could with them, often playing games, taking them on outdoor adventures, teaching them how to run a store and teaching them interesting words and sayings (that their parents didn’t always approve of) and would simply say “that is a grandmother’s right”. Whenever Karen walked in to any room, the place would light up and she had an immediate audience. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother Glen Hill; and sister Joyce Matalamaki. She is survived by her husband Dale of almost 59 years; daughter Stephanie Vavra (Greg Moll); son Mark Vavra (Kelly); and granddaughters Delaney and Claire Vavra. An open house celebration of life will take place from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 16th, 2022 at Ridgeview Country Club, 700 W. Redwing Street, Duluth, MN 55803. The Vavra family would like to thank the incredible staff in the ICU at St. Mary’s, Duluth, MN. You are an amazing group of healthcare professionals.