Dennis Carter's contributions spread through Creston

John Van Nostrand, The Creston News Advertiser, Iowa
·4 min read

Nov. 4—Give credit where credit is due.

Creston's Dennis Carter can relate to that cliche professionally and, now, personally. Credit is what got him to Creston in 1967.

Next week he will be credited for being named Creston's 2022 Citizen of the Year by the Creston Chamber of Commerce. He will be recognized Tuesday, Nov. 8, during the chamber's annual banquet at the Eagles Club.

"After my time in the Army, I went to work for a consumer finance company called Avco. It offered small loans to businesses," he said. "It was the only way people could get money since credit cards were non-existent." He started the work in his home state of Nebraska in Hastings, York and Bellevue until he transferred to Creston.

His position in the Creston office, which was in the 100 block of North Elm Street, was assistant manager. About six months later, the manager left and he was promoted. Carter said a retail business would apply for a loan from Avco that would help customers finance big-ticket purchases, like furniture. The customer would pay the store which would then pay Avco.

Carter said Al Zarifis walked into his office in spring 1973 looking for an insurance agent.

"My friend from Creston was in insurance and I wasn't interested," he said.

But he did it anyway. Carter became a partner the next year as they expanded in southwest Iowa.

"There were agencies that would start, not do well, then sell. We bought them," Carter said. 'It was probably a little bit of a risk, we were able to capitalize on them and do well."

Carter had an insurance license from 1967. Carter would add real estate to his skills. Working both insurance and real estate gave Carter opportunities to learn more about what made Creston tick.

"Creston was known to be a party town and a railroad town," he said about those early days in 1967. "Lots of railroaders come and go, but it was the business culture that kept me here. Creston is the hub of Southwest Iowa. It's always had a good business community."

Carter was able to see what small-town Iowa was like as it contrasted from his youth growing up on a farm near Elwood, Nebraska, in the southwest corner of the state. After high school it was two years at what is know the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a year at technical school in Milford to learn electronics. He entered the Army in 1963 and was stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma knowing how to shoot howitzers.

During his working years he saw the efforts and desire for Creston to maintain its retail sector.

"You stop and go back and think of Crazy Days when you couldn't walk down the streets and Maple Street was packed. Every store was busy," he said. "Creston has been a good town."

Maybe the occasional, themed event on Maple Street today reminded him of yesteryear, but he is proud Creston store owners are still doing what they are doing.

"We had them young and motivated," Carter said. "I think that is still the case today. Look at Coen's Furniture. Others have stayed and stayed active. Creston has been willing to to know each other. They have had connections with others in the community. There is a comradery that is typical."

It hasn't been all work for Carter during his time in Creston. He has been longtime members of the Kiwanis Club and First United Methodist Church.

Creston First United Methodist Church Pastor Jodi Rushing said Carter is the ideal member.

"He is always willing to help and serve wherever he is needed," she said.

Carter's church involvement over the years including being on the church's various committees.

"He has served on the trustees committee which is responsible for the building and all of its upkeep. And it's a huge building. We've been through a lot of work from tuckpointing, the roof, gables and so on," she aid. "And he does it with a smile on his face."

It's not just the physical things either.

Rushing said Carter is on the church finance committee and leads an adult Sunday School class.

Ed Ritter met Carter some 50 years ago. They joined Kiwanis a year from each other and both attend the United Methodist church.

"He's always involved in projects and very seldom misses a Kiwanis meeting," Ritter said. Kiwanis International is a community service club with more than 550,000 members around the world.

Ritter said Carter is involved in the Kiwanis projects and the annual pancake fundraiser held at the church.

Union County Auditor Sandy Hysell said Carter has been a longtime precinct worker on election days. Her office oversees elections in the county.

"He's dedicated and really good with people too," she said. "It's long hours, but he enjoys it."

Hysell said one of Carter's benefits is has been in Creston long enough. "He knows the people who vote and people know him. He's got a big smile on his face. He makes them feel welcome."