Jalmar Martin "Jay" Kerttula (April 6, 1928 – November 13, 2020)[1] was an American businessman, farmer, and politician in Alaska.[2] A member of the Democratic Party, Kerttula was the longest-serving member of the Alaska Legislature, having served in the House from 1961 to 1963 and 1965 to 1973 and in the Senate from 1973 to 1995.,[3] until his record was surpassed by Lyman Hoffman in 2019.[4]

Jay Kerttula
President of the Alaska Senate
In office
January 12, 1981 – January 12, 1985
Preceded byClem Tillion
Succeeded byDon Bennett
Personal details
Born(1928-04-06)April 6, 1928
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedNovember 13, 2020(2020-11-13) (aged 92)
Juneau, Alaska
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Helen Joyce Campbell
(m. 1955; died 2015)

Early life

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Jalmar Kerttula, commonly known as "Jay", was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 6, 1928, the son of Finnish immigrants.[5] In 1935 the family relocated to the Matanuska Valley Colony, a New Deal agricultural resettlement program, located Northeast of Anchorage.[5]

Kerttula graduated from Palmer High School and went on to study at the University of Alaska and the University of Washington. Following his graduation Kerttula became the manager of a dairy cooperative.[5] He also worked as a real estate developer in the Matanuska Valley.[5]

In 1955, Kerttula married Helen Joyce Campbell, known as Joyce, who helped manage his office and campaigns throughout his political career. She died in 2015.[3][6] Their oldest daughter, Beth Kerttula, was a state representative from Juneau for 15 years, until she left to take a fellowship at Stanford University and from there took a post with the Obama administration.

Political career

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Kerttula was first elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1960, representing the city of Palmer in the state capital serving from 1961 to 1963.[5] He ran for election again in 1964 and returned to office for four consecutive terms, 1965 to 1973.[5] He was chosen at the organizational meeting for the body's 1969 session by his Democratic party peers to serve as the Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1969 to 1970.[5] In 1972 he was elected to the state senate and served there from 1973 to 1995, and later became the Alaska Senate President (1981–1984).

Legacy

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Matanuska-Susitna College has a Jalmar Kerttula Building (called the JKB) named for him. It is where most of the English, computer network support, and biology classes are held. It also houses the academic affairs office, director's office, marketing, student government office, and bookstore.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Longtime former Alaska lawmaker Jay Kerttula dies at age 92". Anchorage Daily News. November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns – Candidate – Jalmar M. "Jay" Kerttula".
  3. ^ a b "Longtime Former Alaska Lawmaker Dies". The Dispatch. Moline, IL. November 23, 2020. p. A4. Retrieved October 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ Downing, Suzanne (November 17, 2020). "Sen. Jay Kerttula dies in Juneau, age 92". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Stephen Haycox, "Jalmar M. 'Jay' Kerttula," in Nancy Weatherly Sharp and James Roger Sharp (eds.), American Legislative Leaders in the West, 1911–1994. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997; pg. 161.
  6. ^ Hsieh, Jeremy (KTOO). "Joyce Kerttula Dies at 91," February 3, 2015. Accessed March 9, 2016.
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Alaska House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 9th district

1961–1963
Succeeded by
Charles E. Cole, Sr.
Preceded by
Eugene Reid
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 7th district

1965–1973
Succeeded by
Genie Chance
Jo Ann Miller
Edward G. Barber
William K. Parker
Russ Meekins Jr.
Alaska Senate
Preceded by
Jan M. Koslosky
Member of the Alaska Senate
from D district

1973–1983
Succeeded by
Paul A. Fischer
Preceded by Member of the Alaska Senate
from I district

1983–1985
Succeeded by
Rick Halford
Preceded by Member of the Alaska Senate
from E-A district

1985–1993
Succeeded by
Judith E. Salo
Preceded by Member of the Alaska Senate
from N district

1993–1995
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives
1969–1971
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the Alaska Senate
1981–1985
Succeeded by