Warren G. "Bud" Nelson

Warren G. "Bud" Nelson, 97, of Sioux City, IA, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 8, 2022 at his residence surrounded by a loving family. Visitation will be Thursday, October 13, 2022, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 6:00 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 14, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, followed by a luncheon at the church.  Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com

Bud was born on May 18, 1925 in Jackson, Minnesota to Leland and Ella Nelson.  He graduated from Jackson High in 1943 and entered the Army’s Aviation Cadet program to achieve his life long desire to fly.  He was commissioned in 1945 as a Second Lieutenant and Fighter Pilot.  In 1946, Bud moved to Sioux City and later joined the Iowa Air National Guard.

In 1951, Bud was activated during the Korean War.  While stationed in Maine, Bud married Helen Kimberly of Sioux City.  While in England, Bud’s first daughter, Mary, was born.  Over the next 11 years, Bud and Helen welcomed three more children to their family:  Beth, Blake, and Scott.

Bud earned a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics from Morningside and a M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University.  He worked in Real Estate and Insurance and was very active in the community as a member of Jaycee’s, Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge, Abu Bekr Shrine and Scottish Rite. 

He continued to fly with the Air Guard.  Serving as a Pilot, Operations Officer, Squadron Commander, and finally as Commander of the 185^th Tactical Fighter Group.  He retired in 1980.

After retirement, Bud remained active for more than 40 years.  Bud is a Past President of the Downtown Rotary, Past Commander of Monahan Post #64 of the American Legion, an active member of Landmark Lodge and the Consistory.  He was co-founder and board member of the Mid-America Museum of Aviation and Transportation. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City.

Bud placed family above all else and spent decades organizing extraordinary family reunions in warm climates that solidified the bonds among his children and grand-children.  

Bud is survived by his sister, Marita Talbott of Eugene, Oregon, his children  Mary Page (Luke) of Denver, Beth Sheets (Wally) of Sarasota, Florida, Blake Nelson (Paula) of Denver, and Scott Nelson of Sioux City and seven grandsons, Eric, Brian, Zachary, Alexander, Bennett, Maxwell, and Jacob.  Additionally, he is survived by his “second family”, the Glassons, Lynn and Carol of Colorado, and Paul, and Diane of Sioux City.  He was preceded in death by brother Dean, and wives Helen, Maxine, and Wanda.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mid-America Museum of Aviation and Transportation.