Former Creston mayor passes at 82

Creston City Council member Richard Madison has no problem being on the same ballot as Warren Woods both running for mayor. Woods won and it didn’t upset Madison at all.

Woods died Wednesday in Des Moines at the age of 82.

“He was great,” Madison said. “I had a lot of respect for Warren.”

Madison and Warren were on the same ballot in 2007. Woods was Creston mayor for eight years and was involved in the Creston Historic Preservation Commission, Creston Arts Council, Gibson Memorial Library board, and on the Creston Chamber of Commerce board.

Madison remembered the time Woods was president of the Iowa League of Cities. The league serves as the unified voice of cities, providing advocacy, training and guidance to strengthen Iowa’s communities.

“That is a great opportunity to get your town some positive attention,” Madison said about the position and its purpose. “He always took the chance to make Creston look even better.”

Creston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Gerharz said Creston “was lucky” to have Woods in the positions he was in.

“He was a great person and a great mayor to work with,” she said. “He was even-keeled and cared deeply for Creston.”

Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University. He served in the Marines and Navy flight training. His career included retail with JC Penney and with Gits Manufacturing and Sernett in Creston.

Services are scheduled 11 a.m. Monday at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation in Creston.