Funeral services were held this week in Sioux City, Iowa for charter Iowa Air National Guard member and former 185th Commander, Col. Warren “Bud” Nelson who passed away at the age of 97.

The Jackson, Minn. native came to the Iowa National Guard shortly after World War II. When he retired in 1980, Nelson was the last World War II veteran to serve as a commander of the Air Wing in Sioux City.

Nelson served in the military for almost 40 years and called Sioux City, Iowa home for most of his life. He continued to reside in Sioux City after his retirement where he remained active in veteran and service organizations.

Following World War II, Nelson, who had been working as a P-51 instructor pilot, was determined to continue flying. At the age of 21, with three years under his belt, he hoped to join the newly formed 174th Fighter Squadron in Sioux City, Iowa.