David Jeffrey Elsing

David Jeffrey Elsing, age 68 of Belleville passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026 at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born on February 4, 1958 the oldest of the four children of Elmer and Nancy (Reber) Elsing. David came into this world extra special as he was a Down Syndrome Child. As customary at that time, it was recommended that he be institutionalized, but his parents Elmer and Nancy disagreed with that idea. David was raised on the family dairy farm doing what his brothers did, and his mom even had him taking dance lessons. When the Special Olympics was started in the early 1970’s David was one of the first Special Olympians in Wisconsin. David was the primary milker in the dairy parlor that was designed for David’s height. He knew each cow as they came in and kept track of their milk records.

His younger brother Dan got David a John Deere Gator to get around the farm, and David loved his independence. He would check the cattle in the fields and keep Elmer and Dan supplied with water or soda as they ran the tractors. Riding with David was always an adventure, he would hit any dip he could or go under the tree branches and laugh at the ride.

His father Elmer made David a member of the farmer’s bowling team. At the special frames David would be the one to win the ham, turkey, or booze! This led to David’s love of bowling in the Special Olympics. He also loved Bocci Ball and track with the softball throw and walking the track. He loved the tournaments and getting medals or ribbons.

After the family quit farming, David wanted to stay busy. He took up crushing aluminum cans. He had everyone collecting for him. Because of this hobby, the Ronald McDonald House has benefitted from the tabs.

We figure David my have been part cat as he survived plenty of close calls, including a ruptured appendix, inhaling toxic fumes, intense staph infections, being saved from choking by Dan with the Heimlich maneuver, and a hospital stay with COVID. Unfortunately, COVID robbed him of his fun-filled memory. We miss playing Uno and card games with him, watching him play Wii golf and the beautiful pictures he would color.

David has always had strong family support. After his mother died, Elmer and his sister Darci kept him going. Darci supported him after Elmer passed away. When and ankle infection took its toll, David went to live with Dan and Joleen.

David is survived by his siblings: Dan (Joleen) Doug (Sue), and Darci. He is further survived by his nephew Brian (Alissa), nieces Evie, Katie, and Rachel, along with great nephew Brian (Bear), uncles and aunts Hank and Diane Elsing, Gary and Jean Reber, many cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Nancy, grandparents Lavina (Cross) and Walter Elsing, Evangeline (Erickson) and Fred Reber, aunt Rita and uncle Bill Brown, cousins Robbie Brown and Erica Reber.

His work on earth is now complete. We were very fortunate to have been a part of his life, and we know he touched many other’s lives.

Thank you to Jeff Goebler for all his chauffeuring for Dan when David couldn’t ride in the car anymore. We would also like to thank Naomi & Meaghan and the other staff of Agrace HospiceCare, Inc for helping with David’s journey.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI. Burial will follow in the Paoli Cemetery, Rural Belleville.