WILLMAR -- The death last weekend of longtime Kandiyohi County coroner, Dr. Lyle Munneke, will create a void of dedicated community service in a job that was challenging and unique.
"The county has lost a great person. He's done a lot of work for the county," said County Administrator Larry Kleindl.
Munneke, 73, died Saturday. He had served as the Kandiyohi County coroner for the last two decades and was the coroner at the time of his death.
Kandiyohi County Board Chairman Harlan Madsen said Munneke "felt an obligation to be coroner" and put in "countless hours of time that was never billed back" to the county.
"That is a tribute to his character and commitment to the community," Madsen said.
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In January the County Board of Commissioners appointed Munneke to another four-year term as county coroner.
When the County Board meets Nov. 20, the commissioners will take action to appoint an interim coroner, Kleindl said.
The county does not have a deputy coroner, but Dr. Robert Boyd has been providing back-up coroner services when Munneke wasn't available, Kleindl said. It's expected that Boyd will continue to provide that service until the county commissioners have time to research options and take action next week.
Kleindl said Dr. Boyd has not yet been approached about taking on additional duties as coroner. "We'll have to find out if he's interested," Kleindl said.
He said he is not aware of anyone else in the community who would be interested in the appointed position.
The commissioners may also re-examine whether the county should maintain its history of using a local coroner, or whether the position should be elevated to a higher certification of medical examiner. Currently, Kandiyohi County utilizes the medical examiner's offices in Hennepin or Ramsey counties for suspicious deaths that have a potentially criminal element.
Kleindl said the commissioners determined in January that it was best to use a local coroner and may reach the same decision again.
"We'll go through the process when the time is right," Kleindl said. "But right now our thoughts are with the family."
