Christopher Dismas Eldredge

Christopher Eldredge—beloved father, CPa (grandpa), son, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend—passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the age of 64, following complications from a pulmonary embolism associated with small cell prostate cancer. True to form, he passed in the most Christopher way imaginable: while traveling in beautiful Winter Park, Colorado, preparing for a weekend of live music.

A proud native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Christopher resided in West Des Moines, Iowa. He was born on June 15, 1961, to Michael Jude Sr. and Mary Patricia (Corrigan) Eldredge. His early years took him from St. Paul to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1970, a stint in Ashland, Wisconsin during high school, and finally to Des Moines in the mid-1980s. It was there he welcomed his proudest milestone—his daughter, Shealan, in July 1988.

He had a memorable chapter as a sous chef at Indian Wells Country Club in Palm Springs, California, before returning to Des Moines to raise his daughter closer to family. Christopher remained closely connected to St. Paul, visiting often—especially once his daughter attended the University of St Thomas which was his old stomping grounds. He’d often proudly and loudly say, "I'm a Minnesota boy."

Known for his catchphrase, “I’m a chef by trade,” he never missed an opportunity to share his passion for food—whether a home cooked meal or dining out. He loved checking out the Des Moines restaurant scene with his best friend, Steve. Hockey ran in his blood. He played with his beloved Yellow Team in the DSM men’s league as long as his body allowed. He took great pride in coaching and watching his daughter play hockey, and, in these last few years, skating with his grandson, Michael, the fifth-generation hockey player.

A die-hard Minnesota sports fan, he was always cheering on the Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, Frost or any Minnesota team. Sundays were sacred, often spent watching football with his nephew Nick and brother Greg.

But his greatest love was live music. A devoted follower of Widespread Panic, Christopher attended well over 250 shows and built a second family in the Panic community. He paired his love for music with a passion for travel. Whether visiting Madeline Island, West coast (Michael Jr, Andrew, Peter) to East coast (Matthew) stops to see his brothers, cousins, or hundreds of friends across the country, he was always moving—usually with a concert, family gathering, or new adventure at the heart of it.

In 2019, he proudly bought his place on Madeline Island, "SoulShine," embracing the rich centuries-long O’Brien-Eldredge family history rooted there. He was also a successful entrepreneur, owning several restaurants - including Grille at the Pointe and Elderbaum’s Deli, between 1999 and 2005 before growing a window treatment business over the last 20 years into a well-respected country-spanning enterprise.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015, Christopher met every challenge with grit and grace and humor. Surgeries, treatments, and setbacks never stopped him from living life fully and with a smile. If anything, the diagnosis fueled him to live more intentionally—something we can all take to heart.

Christopher was a people person to the core: a relationship-builder, a loyal friend, and an unforgettable presence.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Shealan (Eldredge) Pream, his son-in-law Matt Pream, and his treasured grandson, Michael Francis Pream.

He is also survived by his mother Mary Patricia Eldredge, and siblings: Michael Eldredge, Jr. and wife Gloria Falcinelli Eldredge, Gregory Eldredge, Matthew Eldredge, Andrew Eldredge, Peter Eldredge.

Nieces and nephew who adored him: Norah Eldredge Liebow (Adam, Violet), Suzanne Eldredge, Krissy Eldredge Wiborg (Joel, Emerson, Colin), Carrie Eldredge Mertens (Andrew, Will, Henry), Nicholas Eldredge (Lindsay Vaux, Juniper), Cecilia Eldredge, and Ellie Eldredge.

He will also be deeply missed by dozens of cousins from the Eldredge, Corrigan, O’Brien, and Joy families, especially Molly (Tom) Anderson, the Probst Family, Shealan's mother, Teresa Schutte, his business partner and dear friend Matt Spalding, and hundreds—if not thousands—of beloved Panic Family members.

Christopher was preceded in death by his father, Michael J. Eldredge Sr., cousin Daniel Shawn Eldredge, and grandparents Dick and Mary Louise (O’Brien) Eldredge, Mary Alice (Joy) and Leo Corrigan.

We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of Christopher, but at peace knowing he lived life wide open, never letting cancer define him. His legacy of music, food, loyalty, good hugs, and love will live on in the countless lives he touched.

A celebration of life memorial is being planned for Saturday, November 22, 2025 in the Des Moines metro. We plan to celebrate Christopher with live music, food, drinks, and sharing memories. Details to come. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Minnesota Wild Foundation (https://www.nhl.com/wild/foundation/) or the Minnesota Wild Foundation’s Skate It Forward program: (https://www.skateitforward.org/), Widespread Panic Good People programs including Tunes for Tots and Feeding People Through Music (https://widespreadpanic.com/goodpeople/), the University of Minnesota Masonic Center (https://www.mhealthfairview.org/About-Us/giving), or the Prostate Cancer Foundation (https://www.pcf.org/donate).

“Buy the concert tickets. Book the trip. Love the one you're with.”