Phillip Kenneth Johnsrud
April 1, 1950– October 13, 2024
Phillip Kenneth Johnsrud, 74, of Iola, Wisconsin, who loved his family, the outdoors and serving his community, died on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
Born April 1, 1950, in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, to Kenneth Johnsrud and Marilyn (Munson) Johnsrud Berner. He graduated from Fennimore High School in 1968 and from UW-Platteville in 1976.
Phil moved to Iola in 1976 to teach industrial arts at Iola-Scandinavia High School. With his engaging, empathetic, affable ways, he inspired thousands of students for 34 years. He was proud of how many became successful in the trades. Phil also taught woodworking classes for Fox Valley Technical College.
He was married to Mary Schultz on Aug. 8, 2003. They enjoyed going to live music, especially bluegrass. He adored their children, Lydia and Phillip.
An avid whitewater canoeist, cross country skier and expert trail groomer, Phil was a teacher in nature as well as the classroom. His skill, leadership and commitment made him a legend in Wisconsin’s silent sports community.
He paddled whitewater rivers throughout the United States and Canada, leading trips to Montana and the Arctic. With passion, patience and humor, Phil introduced whitewater skills to hundreds on the Wolf River as lead instructor for the Sierra Club. He once paddled the Colorado River through the entire Grand Canyon with a group of hotshots from all over the country and was the only one whose canoe never flipped.
When Phil realized the ski trails at the Iola Winter Sports Club didn’t have reliable grooming, he offered to help out. He soon became what many believe to be the best groomer in the state. He repaired grooming equipment, designed, built, maintained and repaired trails. He was the brains and brawn of the club for many years. Cross country skiers throughout Wisconsin and beyond came to recognize Iola as a premier ski destination, thanks largely to his efforts. Knowing a chance to ski after dark would draw more youths to the sport, he initiated light installation along four miles of trails.
Phil completed the American Birkebeiner marathon ski race 32 times. Getting the fastest possible time was not his goal. He carried a fanny pack with vise grips and other tools in case a skier needed bindings fixed. If he saw an exhausted skier in the final 10 kilometers, Phil offered candy bars. Always looking for opportunities to help kids, Phil was instrumental in creating the Wisconsin Nordic Network (WINN) youth scholarship program, which sponsored the entry fee for first-time youth skiing the Kortelopet.
He was active in the Iola community, starting a community service class at the high school where members built needed items for the Winter Sports Club, Iola Car Show and community garden. He received numerous awards for his volunteer work from the Iola Car Show, Sierra Club, Lions Club Melvin Jones Award and Sierra Club and was named Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Person of the Year in 2021. He served on the Governor’s State Trail Council.
A creative problem solver, Phil could fix or build most anything with his ingenuity and resourcefulness. He was independent, persistent, a colorful storyteller and a great friend to many. He loved reading and was knowledgeable on a range of topics. Phil touched hundreds of lives in a quiet but impactful way.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Schultz; children Lydia F. and Phillip C. Johnsrud; sisters Judy (Virgil) Cupples, Teresa (Glenn) Whitaker, Barb (Louis) Muench; and brother Brian (Sherry Kane) Johnsrud; and many nieces, nephews and brothers- and sisters-in law. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bruce.
Funeral Services for Phil will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iola. A visitation will be held at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola on Friday, Oct. 18, from 4-7 p.m. and also on Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church. A memorial will be established in his name to the Iola Winter Sports Club.