Warren G. "Bud" Nelson 1925 - 2022

NELSON, KIMBERLY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/25/2022 at 14:47:45

Sioux City Journal
12 October 2022

Warren G. 'Bud' Nelson

Sioux City

Warren G. "Bud" Nelson, 97, of Sioux City passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at his residence surrounded by a loving family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday with a Prayer Service at 6 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, followed by a luncheon at the church. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery at 1 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Bud was born on May 18, 1925, in Jackson, Minn., to Leland and Ella Nelson. He graduated from Jackson High in 1943 and entered the Army's Aviation Cadet program to achieve his lifelong 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, and 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 185th 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 grandchildren.

Bud is survived by his sister, Marita Talbott of Eugene, Ore.; children Mary Page (Luke) of Denver, Beth Sheets (Wally) of Sarasota, Fla., Blake Nelson (Paula) of Denver, and Scott Nelson of Sioux City; and seven grandsons, Eric, Brian, Zachary, Alexander, Bennett, Maxwell, and Jacob; and "second family," the Glassons of Sioux City, Lynn, Carol, Paul, and Diane.

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.