DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa state Rep. Dwayne Alons, who was battling renal cancer, has died. Republican leaders in the state House announced Sunday that Alons died late Saturday. Alons, a Republican from Hull, announced his diagnosis last month, but at that point he planned to continue serving in the state legislature. Alons was a retired farmer and former Iowa Air National Guard brigadier general. He was first elected in 1998. House Speaker Kraig Paulsen says he is sad to loose such a passionate lawmaker

Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer says Alons did an exemplary job representing people in his district and listening to their concerns. Alons and his wife, Clarice, had four children and 13 grandchildren. In the House, he most recently served as the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs committee.