Cindy Litwiller was a person who helped make worthwhile things happen. Sometimes she was at the helm of important undertakings. On numerous occasions she also was a dedicated collaborator who could work easily with others to accomplish important objectives as a team member. No matter what her specific role, Litwiller brought immense vitality and hard work to her endeavors.

Litwiller was a longtime resident of Fort Dodge who was dedicated to making this an ever-more thriving community. Much of her career revolved around economic development endeavors both locally and elsewhere in Iowa. At the time of her untimely death in March of this year, Litwiller was economic development director for Wright County. Prior to that she served for a decade as executive director of the Iowa Falls Area Development Corporation. As the 21st century got underway she was a top assistant to former Mayor Gail Van Alstine. From 2006-2010, Litwiller was a member of the Fort Dodge City Council, representing Ward 3. She aspired to reach the city’s top job, but Litwiller’s campaign to become mayor proved unsuccessful.

Our town’s current mayor, Matt Bemrich, remembers Litwiller well and offers high praise for her career and talents.

“She was a very dedicated councilperson,” he told The Messenger earlier this year. “Always well-researched and really seemed to always speak for her constituents and try to represent their ideas and the values that she shared with them.”

Litwiller was an active participant in the Professional Developers of Iowa, a trade group representing economic development movers and shakers from all across the Hawkeye State. PDI has paid a well-deserved tribute to her memory and many achievements by creating the Cindy Litwiller Scholarship. This award will pay for honorees to attend the association’s multiday annual conference.

The Messenger applauds this fitting recognition of a Fort Dodger who left our midst much too soon, but who nonetheless accomplished a great deal and who will be remembered with fondness and appreciation.