Minneota graduate named Cass county coroner

Kriste Ross, who has worked in the coroner’s office since 2001, was unanimously approved and officially named the Cass County Coroner in North Dakota by a five-member Cass County selection panel on Oct. 19.
Ross was appointed the position after the retirement of Dr. John Baird in August. Baird held the post for 37 years on a part-time basis. Ross will fill the role on a full-time basis.
The coroner determines the cause and manner of deaths in the county by conducting investigations. If an autopsy is needed, Cass County sends its cases to the University of North Dakota's pathology department in Grand Forks.
Ross would lead a staff that includes one full-time deputy coroner, two part-time death investigators, and a team of transport drivers. The coroner's office is in the Fargo Cass Public Health building at 1240 25th St. S.
She started in the office as an administrative assistant before becoming a death investigator in 2008, deputy coroner in 2011 and chief deputy two years ago.
Ross is the daughter of Jack and Jean Rehkamp, formerly of Minneota, and a 1993 graduate of Minneota High School.