Judge sworn in for Sixth

New Sixth District Judge Rebekka L. Strumme was sworn in by Judge Mark Munger, whose retirement led to her appointment by Gov. Tim Walz and the investiture ceremony in the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College commons Friday, May 31. She is joined by her husband, Nate, and daughters, Ellie and Lilly.

Judge Strumme will be chambered in Carlton County along with Judge Robert Macaulay. She replaces Judge Leslie Beiers, who is transferring from Carlton County to the St. Louis County Courthouse to fill Munger's seat. The 6th Judicial District includes six courthouses in St. Louis, Carlton, Cook and Lake counties.

Chief Judge Sally Tarnowski gave the welcome and remarks at Stumme's investiture, along with Vicky Wanta of the St. Louis County Attorney's Office and Lily Stumme. Judge Munger administered the oath.

Stumme, 45, was most recently an assistant St. Louis County attorney in Duluth, serving as an adult-felony prosecutor. She previously served as a public defender, a civil litigation attorney at Duluth firm Downs, Reyelts and Bateman, and was a judicial law clerk to Munger.

Stumme is president of the First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center Board and chair of the education committee at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Duluth.