Julie Davis
jdavis@cherryroad.com
Family, friends and colleagues gathered in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Lincoln Nov. 22 for the investiture of Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey J. Funke.
Funke, a Nebraska City native, was officially selected in October by Gov. Jim Pillen to replace Chief Justice Michael Heavican, who retired from the court on Oct. 31.
Heavican administered a ceremonial oath of office to Funke during the event, and it was followed by Funke putting on his judicial robes with the help of sons Will and Jack and daughter Maggie Hansen.
“Congratulations to the Funke family,” said Pillen during his remarks. “You are the key, key piece of your dad and your love’s journey, and his journey has been extraordinary, and that can only happen with family support, love, and being at his side all the time.”
Pillen also thanked members of the judicial branch of state government for their work In keeping Nebraskans safe, upholding the civility of the state and making “where we live the greatest place in the history of civilization right here in Nebraska.”
Pillen said appointing the next chief justice was an “extraordinary privilege for Joe Kelly and I and our team.”
“What I want to assure you over is that your leader is a man of extraordinary character and presence, perseverance, and heart,” he told the judges and court staff in the audience.
Retired District Court Judge Randall Rehmeier, one of Funke’s long-time mentors, said he began to notice leadership skills in the future Chief Justice when Funke was in high school at Lourdes Central Catholic.
Soon, Funke was a young attorney who appeared in Rehmeier’s court, and over time, Rehmeier saw Funke develop as a lawyer and a leader.
“As Justice Stacy [one of Funke’s colleagues on the Supreme Court] said, ‘Leadership is in his DNA’,” said Rehmeier.
Sarpy County Judge Todd Hutton, who served as master of ceremonies for the investiture, said he found it fitting that Funke selected the Rotunda of the State Capitol for the ceremony, noting that the Rotunda of the Capitol is surrounded by the three branches of state government—legislative, executive, and judicial—and that Hildreth Meiere’s mural “Virtues of the State” was overhead, paying tribute to temperance, courage, justice, wisdom, magnanimity, faith, hope, and charity.
Hutton said the space “reminds us of who we are, the principles we uphold, and the promises we make In serving Nebraskans.”
In his remarks, Funke said becoming chief justice was “the honor of a lifetime.” He shared some lessons he learned along the way in his legal career, which are to treat others with dignity and respect, to listen more than you speak, to stand by your word, to work hard every day, and to work collaboratively with those around you.
Funke also complimented his predecessor, noting that he has “big shoes to fill” and that “the bar has been set high.”
A video of the ceremony is available for viewing online. Visit https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/administration/news/watch-investiture-ceremony-chief-justice-jeffrey-funke to watch the ceremony in its entirety.
