John H Eldred

John Henry Eldred, 41, of La Pointe, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 19, 2026, held gently in the loving arms of his wife. His parents and brother were close by during his final hours, sharing loving and precious time with him at the end.
For those who loved him most, that morning felt as though the sun had lost its light and the earth had stopped spinning.
John—more lovingly known as Johnny—was born to Timothy and Michele in Washburn, Wisconsin. He was raised in the family home alongside his brother on Madeline Island, where he was given a childhood rich with adventure, play, nature, and family. He grew up in the woods, beside the vast blue waters of Lake Superior, and along her sandy beaches. Johnny was surrounded by a strong and beautiful family and community who loved and supported him deeply. He loved them, Madeline Island, and Lake Superior with his whole heart.
While much credit belongs to his parents, extended family, and community for helping shape Johnny into the extraordinary person he became, there was also something uniquely his own—something innate from the moment he was born. He entered this world with a golden aura that radiated from every fiber of his being. No one ever left Johnny feeling worse than when they arrived. He had a rare and gentle way of listening, of truly supporting others, and of offering a warm, easy laugh when it was needed most.
That light never left him.
Johnny was tender yet strong, deeply kind, and quietly special—never boastful, never driven by ego or ulterior motives. He was simply a calm, steady presence in the world: always willing to help, to listen, and to show up fully for others.
During his high school years, Johnny joined the local ski racing team and quickly fell in love with the sport. This passion, along with other experiences, led him to pursue college at the University of Utah, where he graduated with honors in History. He had previously been named Salutatorian of his high school class in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
College marked an exciting new chapter for a young man who had grown up on an island. Johnny embraced the opportunity to spread his wings amid the vast and beautiful mountains of the West. He was constantly skiing in the Wasatch Mountains whenever possible.
The Wasatch Mountains—and the adventure they offered—became Johnny's first true love. After graduation, he quickly found a home at Alta Ski Area, where he met extraordinary people and formed lifelong friendships rooted in deep camaraderie. It was there—on skis, among the mountains and his people—that Johnny truly found himself.
Johnny taught skiing at Alta for 19 seasons, forming many meaningful relationships with his clients, all of whom were touched by his gentle strength, patience, and guidance. He was a Level Three Instructor- which is the highest certification level in the professional ski instructor system- proving his expert-level skiing, teaching, and technical knowledge. A naturally fast and beautiful skier, Johnny carried his talent without ego, skiing with humility and grace.
His life followed the rhythm of the seasons: winters spent on the slopes, and off-seasons devoted to mountain adventures and summers on Madeline Island. He summited countless peaks throughout the West, including completing the arduous John Muir Trail, which he hiked with a dear friend.
Alongside his love for the mountains, Johnny developed a deep skill in carpentry under the guidance of some of the people he admired most. Over time, he refined his craft and eventually worked for himself as a carpenter during the summer months on Madeline. His talent, reliability, and heart made him a valued and trusted presence among the community. His hands crafted beautiful structures and other works which will be cherished forever.
A few years after college, on a hot July night on Madeline Island, Johnny met the person who would become his wife, Molly. After one simple evening of conversation, they quickly fell in love. They both knew at once they could not imagine a life without one another. They were bound by their shared history on Madeline Island and their mutual love of adventure and a deep lust for life. They quickly synchronized their lives, always supporting one another, honoring each other's individuality, and living by the belief: "Let there be space in your togetherness."
Johnny and Molly spent their life together between Utah and Madeline Island, filling their time with adventure—hiking, camping, skiing, disc golf, croquet, paddleboarding, cliff jumping, mountain biking, road biking, running, swimming, stargazing, sunset watching, and of course playing with beloved pets.
Yet as special as those adventures were, their most cherished moments were often the quiet, ordinary evenings spent simply sitting together talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's presence. Molly loved to ask questions, which suited Johnny perfectly, as he often revealed his vast knowledge only when gently drawn out. Many evenings passed in twilight conversations, where one question about history would prompt Johnny to share not only the answer, but its broader context and countless related stories- able to speak endlessly on any subject she asked about. His knowledge of the history of the world and other subjects was endless. It was a beautiful, symbiotic connection.
Although Johnny spent the final year of his life facing a ferocious and terrible disease, he met it with extraordinary courage and grit. His bravery never faltered. He kept fighting until the end, never ready to give up. He loved his life and those in it.
He made a deep, lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
John is survived by his wife, Molly; his parents, Timothy and Michele; his brother, Andrew, sister in-law Katie; his nephew, Jack; his godparents, Michael (Kate) Eldred and Ellen (Paul) Auger; his sisters and brother-in-law, Briana, Noelle, and Tom, and their children, Emily, Jocelyn, Alexandra, Margaret, and Julian; his mother-in-law, Lynne; and many, many loving extended family members, friends, and community members of Madeline Island and Alta, Utah.
As the shoulder season approaches for the ice road, ferry, and windsled on Madeline Island—and with the uncertainties that come with it—Johnny's family has decided it is best to hold a visitation and Mass in St. Paul, MN.
You are warmly invited to join them on February 7th at Church of the Assumption, St. Paul. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m.
Afterward, the family invites you to The Red Rabbit in St. Paul to share food, drinks, and cherished memories of our beloved Johnny.
For our Utah friends, and anyone else who would like to travel, we invite you to a celebration of John at Our Lady of the Snows at Alta, Utah on March 14th. We imagine there will be a ski run in his honor before the event, perhaps at Eagles Nest. Food and beverages will be provided.
A celebration on Madeline Island will be announced at a later date.