Dewey "Curt" Curtis Hanes

A consummate storyteller, Curt used his love for language in a storied career that took him from newspaper reporting to serving as a speechwriter to a governor.

Curt was born in Harvey, Illinois on September 23, 1929 to Dewey Hanes and Susan Szanyi. With his sister, Marjorie, the family lived with his Hungarian grandparents during the Depression. One of Curt’s favorite activities as a child was scouting and he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, an achievement he was proud of all his life.

He graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism. An accomplished athlete, he participated in college football, boxing and track. Later, after achieving black belt in judo, Curt and a friend established a judo dojo in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Before launching his journalism career, Curt joined the Army. It was the beginning of the Cold War and he was sent to the Army Language School to learn Russian before being deployed to Lubeck, Germany to work in the Army Security Agency. His Army buddies became lifelong friends.

When he returned to the states, he worked at two newspapers and two radio stations in the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area. The Lansing State Journal hired him to be a reporter and columnist, a move that would bring him into all of our lives. As a columnist, he was the first to advocate for the redevelopment of the city’s riverfront.

Curt served as the director of the Bicentennial for the City of Lansing before being hired by Michigan Speaker of the House Bill Ryan and then served for many years as Communications Director for Michigan Speaker of the House Bobby Crim.

He capped his career and proudly served as the speechwriter to Governor James J. Blanchard.

He loved college football, especially the MSU Spartans. Golf was a favorite...to play and watch. He was an avid reader, an excellent cook, and had an affinity for languages. Even in his early 80s he was learning to speak German.

This good and decent man was a friend to many and made his community a better place.

Curt was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marjorie, brother-in-law Walt, and his first wife and mother of his children, Eleanor.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Jones, of Haslett; his children, Kelly (Otho) Yerby of Lansing, Holly Barefield of Ukiah, California, Laurie (Gib) Steen, also of Ukiah, and Carrie Jo (Sandy) Rubenstein of Michigan City, Indiana; his grandchildren, Ian, Claire and Chloe Lovitt, and Angela Steen; and, his sister-in-law, Ellen Jones, and brother-in-law, Stephen (Weiwei) Jones.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at the Michigan State University Alumni Chapel. Coffee at 10 a.m. Service at 11 a.m. The Honorable Lynn Jondahl will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Curt’s name to the Michigan State University School of Journalism to support the training of a new generation of journalists and in recognition of the importance of freedom of the press to our democracy. Checks should be made payable to “Michigan State University’ with “A905-Journalism IMO Curt Hanes” on the memo line and sent to University Advancement, Spartan Way, 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824 or donate online at www.givingto.msu.edu. First click on "Give Now" at the top right. Under "Areas to Support" in the box that says "Type Here to Search for Funds" enter "School of Journalism." The 4th fund that pops up is the general fund from which the scholarship can be awarded. You can then click "Add to Cart" and the system will prompt you for the rest of the gift information. There is a box to check if the gift is in memory of a loved one.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823

Online condolences may be shared at www.greastlansing.com