James “Jim” R. Lebens, 91, of Savage, Minnesota, passed away on Sept. 2, 2017.

Jim was born in Montgomery, Minnesota, on Dec. 25, 1925, to John and Albina (Franta) Lebens. He grew up in Montgomery along with his siblings, Robert and Joan. He graduated early from Montgomery High School to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He served in the South West Pacific Theatre during World War II as a navigator and later got his pilot’s license. After the war, he graduated from St. Thomas College with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He worked in the U.S. and in Greenland as a human relations manager for the North Atlantic Construction Co., who was contracted to build an air base in Thule, Greenland. “Owning his own business was his ultimate goal,” said his son, John. Jim bought the Ford dealership in Stewartville, Minnesota, in 1953 and in 1964, he purchased the Ford dealership in Austin, Minnesota, where he built a new facility and operated it for 20 years. Jim loved the car business and won many accolades during his 31 years in the industry.

In 1972, he and his brother Bob co-founded the First State Bank of Apple Valley. They built a new building and it became the first bank to open in the community. He served on the First National Bank of Stewartville board of directors and was a member of the American Legion, the Elks, the Austin Flying Club and participated in many auto dealer boards and committees.

Always active, Jim enjoyed boating, tennis, golf and flying. He spent many summers at the family cabin on Whitefish Lake and later, boating on the Mississippi and wintering in Arizona. He was an energetic, caring and generous man who always saw the good in others.

He is survived by his children, John (Jane) Lebens, Bob (Melinda) Lebens, Ann Lebens, Mary (Matt) Abbott, and Jim Lebens and their mother, Corrine McCarthy; Michele Lebens and her children, Christopher Peterson, and Nicholas (Rachel) Peterson; five grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Pearl Lebens.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Lebens; and sister, Joan (Dick) Keaveny.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, with a visitation one hour prior to the service, all at St. Michael Catholic Church, Prior Lake, Minnesota.Memorials may  be made to the N.C. Little Hospice in Edina, Minnesota, or the Animal Humane Society. Arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Jordan, BallardSunderFuneral.com