MONROE - As Green County's new coroner, Kris Hasse's job isn't easy - or predictable. Yet its a vital one, and carries with it unique responsibilities.
The position is actually considered part-time, but there is no such thing, given the nature of the job.
Death can come at any time, without warning.
"If something happens in the middle of the night, I might be called out," she said.
Hasse was chief deputy coroner in Green County for 12 years before she was elected to the post in November. She served as deputy coroner for two years before she was appointed chief deputy coroner.
Hasse decided to run for the the elected coroner's after then coroner Jan Perry chose not to seek another term.
It's a job that carries a lot of responsibility and requires sensitivity.
Hasse is involved in various death investigations, including homicides, suicides; and at nursing homes and hospitals. She also investigates deaths involving children.
Among her duties are attending autopsies and assisting the pathologist with the procedure.
One of the toughest aspects of her job is to notify families of a death.
"Every time is difficult," she said. "I try to help the families as best I can."
When she has to notify a family about a death, she's usually accompanied by a Green County Sheriff's deputy and a chaplain from the sheriff's department.
Working on death investigations and closely with grieving families, she said, has helped her appreciate life, and her own family.
"Jan and I talked about it and my family was very supportive," she said.
Her husband, Todd, and sons Mitchel, 16, and Trevor, 13, are proud of her, she said. Mitchell was able to be at her swearing in ceremony Monday, though Trevor had a test at school and couldn't attend.
"He told me he'd be thinking of me," she said.
Perry remains with the coroner's office and serves as a deputy coroner, along with Traci Newcomer. Amy Kundert was appointed chief deputy coroner.
Hasse is a Monroe High school graduate and also attended Blackhawk Technical College; and Madison Area Technical School.
The position is actually considered part-time, but there is no such thing, given the nature of the job.
Death can come at any time, without warning.
"If something happens in the middle of the night, I might be called out," she said.
Hasse was chief deputy coroner in Green County for 12 years before she was elected to the post in November. She served as deputy coroner for two years before she was appointed chief deputy coroner.
Hasse decided to run for the the elected coroner's after then coroner Jan Perry chose not to seek another term.
It's a job that carries a lot of responsibility and requires sensitivity.
Hasse is involved in various death investigations, including homicides, suicides; and at nursing homes and hospitals. She also investigates deaths involving children.
Among her duties are attending autopsies and assisting the pathologist with the procedure.
One of the toughest aspects of her job is to notify families of a death.
"Every time is difficult," she said. "I try to help the families as best I can."
When she has to notify a family about a death, she's usually accompanied by a Green County Sheriff's deputy and a chaplain from the sheriff's department.
Working on death investigations and closely with grieving families, she said, has helped her appreciate life, and her own family.
"Jan and I talked about it and my family was very supportive," she said.
Her husband, Todd, and sons Mitchel, 16, and Trevor, 13, are proud of her, she said. Mitchell was able to be at her swearing in ceremony Monday, though Trevor had a test at school and couldn't attend.
"He told me he'd be thinking of me," she said.
Perry remains with the coroner's office and serves as a deputy coroner, along with Traci Newcomer. Amy Kundert was appointed chief deputy coroner.
Hasse is a Monroe High school graduate and also attended Blackhawk Technical College; and Madison Area Technical School.