“ CALL ME‘ JERRY’”
Published on Justice Gerald VandeWalle’ s Life and Service
By Katie Winbauer
Photo courtesy of Brad Nygaard / The Journal, Crosby
The last sentence in“ Call Me‘ Jerry’” reads,“ We need more Jerry VandeWalles in this world.” That line captures the lasting impression of the recently-published biography on former North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Gerald VandeWalle.
The book chronicles a 65-year career in public service – 45 of those years on the North Dakota Supreme Court, and more than half as Chief Justice. Drawing on interviews with VandeWalle, his former colleagues, friends, and family, the book traces his life from his upbringing through his legal career and judicial tenure. The book demonstrates how professional reputation is not solely a function of legal acumen. It is equally a product of character, commitment to service, and the ability to engage constructively with others in the legal system.
The Road to Publication
Levi Andrist, former law clerk to VandeWalle and a trustee of the John & Elaine Andrist Charitable Trust, conceived the idea of a biography on VandeWalle in 2020. The book started as a project with former Grand Forks Herald Publisher Mike Jacobs, who first interviewed VandeWalle in a series of six sessions in early 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the project was stalled for various reasons. But that fall, Jacobs started conducting interviews of colleagues and acquaintances of VandeWalle via Zoom.
CecileWehrman took over the project in November 2024 – a perfect fit based on Wehrman’ s position as publisher of VandeWalle’ s home county newspaper, The Journal, and her vast writing background. Wehrman conducted lengthy interviews with VandeWalle, along with additional interviews of his family and friends.
A Title Reflective of the Subject
Most everyone who reads this article thinks of VandeWalle as“ Chief” due to his role as Chief Justice for the North Dakota Supreme Court – the longest-serving Chief Justice of any state Supreme Court in the nation. However, the biography describes how VandeWalle often uttered those three words,“ Call me‘ Jerry,’” to anyone new he met.
The title of the book captures VandeWalle’ s defining traits. His humility and character shine throughout the biography. Despite being one of the most significant figures in North Dakota’ s legal history, VandeWalle never abandoned his roots.
Chapters of a Lifetime
The book’ s beginning describes VandeWalle’ s early life. VandeWalle was raised on a farm in Noonan, N. D. His parents were Belgian immigrants – his father a World War I hero and his mother a debate champion. Although his parents would have preferred VandeWalle staying on the farm or attending school closer to home, VandeWalle had his sights set beyond his hometown.
Although he planned to leave Noonan, he strived to make the community in Divide County proud. The book mentions VandeWalle’ s recollection of a clerk telling him,“ If you go out, if you go away from here, you embarrass yourself, you embarrass us all.” VandeWalle carried that with him throughout his life.
The biography details VandeWalle’ s education at the University of North Dakota for both undergraduate studies and law school, transitioning then to his career in the Office of the Attorney General before taking the bench.
Jerry VandeWalle, North Dakota’ s longest serving Supreme Court Chief Justice, pictured with his biography“ Call Me‘ Jerry’” and author Cecile Wehrman in early 2026.
Although VandeWalle never married or had children, Wehrman conveyed how devoted VandeWalle was to his mother. He cared for her from the early 1970s until her death in 2006, at the age of 102. His dedication, as most readers know, was to public service.
10 THE GAVEL