Former Michigan Speaker of the House Curtis Hertel Sr. died suddenly on Sunday, March 27.

Hertel is survived by his wife of 42 years, Vickie, his four children, Curtis and Elizabeth Hertel, Matthew and Rachel Hertel, Lisa Hertel, and Kevin and Ann Hertel, and five grandchildren, CJ, Nathan, Hailey, Lyla, and Jack.

"We are absolutely devastated this morning," said State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr., Hertel Sr.'s oldest son.

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.

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. During that time, he shared the speakership with Republican Paul Hillegonds.

The Hertel family is well known in Michigan political circles, with all three brothers, Curtis Sr., John, and Dennis serving in political offices throughout their career. John Hertel served in the Michigan State Senate, representing the 2nd District from 1974 to 1982. Dennis Hertel served in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 14th District from 1975 to 1980, and then as US Congressman from the Michigan 14th District from 1981 to 1993. Hertel Sr.'s son, Curtis Jr., is serving his first term in the Michigan State Senate.

Hertel Sr. was a graduate of Wayne State University.

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