James M. "Jim" Leinenkugel

James M. (Jim) Leinenkugel, 89, born in Chippewa Falls, passed away in Monterey, California.

The son of Jacob Leinenkugel and Ethel Schaefer Leinenkugel, he was the great-grandson of the founder of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewery which began in Chippewa Falls in 1867 and is still going strong today.

Jim is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Helvie Niemi Leinenkugel of Corral de Tierra; his sons, James Michael of Corral de Tierra, Kurtis William of Longwood, Florida, Edward Alan of Spanish Springs, Nevada and Mark Andrew of Dallas, Texas; his daughter, Julie Karen Martin of Seattle, Washington and his grandchildren, Alex and Adrian Martin of Seattle and Alexandra, Victoria and Gabrielle Leinenkugel of Dallas.

He was preceded in death by his only brother, John William (Bill) Leinenkugel, on Sept. 22, 2008.

Jim was raised in Washington, D.C. and Tucson, Arizona where he graduated with a BS from the University of Arizona in Mechanical Engineering in 1947. Prior to receiving his degree, he also attended the University of Notre Dame and the Colorado School of Mines. In 1972, he graduated with Honors from the Pacific Coast School of Banking at the University of Washington, Seattle. Jim had a brief stint on active duty with the U.S. Army in 1949/1950. He was in charge of a missile tracking station while serving at White Sands Proving Ground, New Mexico.

After a career in international business, including worldwide travel and management assignments in Venezuela and Mexico, Jim returned to the United States and began a twenty-five-year banking career in Phoenix, Arizona, first with the Arizona Bank (now Bank of America) and then with United Bank (now Wells Fargo). His banking activities again took him throughout the world.

Until the family company was sold in 1987, Jim was an active director of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. He retired in 1987 and, in 1997, moved to Corral de Tierra. He was active with the Corral de Tierra CC Seniors serving as President in 2000. He was also President of the Markham Ranch/Palma Grove Homeowners Association for four years.

Restless by nature, Jim kept busy throughout his life, volunteering his service for several civic organizations including Rotary, Kiwanis and Meals on Wheels. During his banking career, he served on the National Export Expansion Council in Washington, DC, as well as many other civic organizations in Arizona. Highlighting this service was his stint as Director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission where he had the privilege to lead several trade missions to Europe and Latin America.

At Jims' request, there will be no services. Following cremation, burial will be in the family plot in Chippewa Falls. To sign Jim's guest book and leave messages for his family, please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com.