Curtis Hertel Sr., a consummate public servant and devoted husband, father and grandfather passed away Sunday March 27, 2016 at the age of 63. Curtis, son to John (Jack) and Marie (nee Kaufmann) Hertel, was born March 7, 1953 in Detroit. At the age of 16, Curtis had found the love of his life in Vickie. He and Vickie would later go on to marry and have 4 children. Curtis and Vickie spent 42 wonderful years in marriage, supporting each other in every endeavor and no matter what challenges life threw at them. Hertel is survived by his wife of 42 years, Vicki, his four children, Curtis and Elizabeth Hertel, Matt and Rachel Hertel, Lisa Hertel, and Kevin and Ann Hertel, and five grandchildren, CJ, Nathan, Hailey, Lyla, and Jack. Hertel's most proud accomplishment was that of his children and grandchildren. Although his career was full and demanding, he very seldom was absent at his children's events. No matter the late hour of his work in Lansing, he made the drive home every night. Along with his deep and devoted love for his family, Curtis treasured his time on the water. He was most at peace when he was able to be with his family playing on the water, boating or in the colder months playing hockey. A proud graduate of Wayne State University, Curtis Hertel Sr. the 64th Michigan Speaker of the House was first elected to the State House of Representatives in 1980. In all, Hertel served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1981 until 1998, serving as sole Speaker from 1997 to 1998. Curtis Hertel Sr. served in a unique shared power relationship when he was the co-speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1993-1994, as that chamber was split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Hertel was widely respected by Lansing insiders for his ability to work across the aisle on substantive policy developments, despite political differences. Although Hertel was known for a number of important pieces of legislation, some of the most notable are the passage of Proposal A which overhauled education funding in Michigan, increased revenue for road funding through a gas tax increase, the creation of The Children's Trust Fund, and an increase in the minimum wage. After his tenure in the legislature, Curtis Hertel Sr. served as the executive director of the Detroit-Wayne County Port Authority and deputy director in Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth under former Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00-9:00 pm and Wednesday from 2:00-9:00 pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave., at Vernier Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods. His funeral will be officiated by Fr. Jack Baker on Thursday at 10:00 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please make donation in memory of Curtis Hertel, Sr. to the Michigan Children's Trust Fund Grand Tower Suite 1411 PO Box 30037 Lansing, MI 48909 https://www.thepayplace.com/mi/dhs/ctf/billpreview.aspx
Funeral Home:
A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe
20705 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
US 48236
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