David Elsila

David A. Elsila, 61, of the Town of Saukville, formerly of Cedarburg and Milwaukee, died at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton Saturday, March 30.

Mr. Elsila was born in Iron Wood, Mich., on Oct. 15, 1957, to Charles and Gladys Livingston Elsila. The family moved from Upper Michigan to Kenosha when he was a child. He graduated from Bradford High School in Kenosha in 1975.

On July 16, 1988, he married Martha Rosado in Milwaukee. In 2003, they moved to Cedarburg and later purchased a hobby farm in the Town of Saukville.

Mr. Elsila served in the U.S. Army Reserves for more than 35 years, earning the rank of staff sergeant E7 before he retired in 2017.

He was employed for more than 28 years as a CNC robotics machinist at Badger Meter, where he worked alongside his son.

Mr. Elsila enjoyed spending time on his farm with his horses and other animals. He was involved with the Ozaukee 4H horse and pony project, and was a member of the Antique Tractor Club. He was an avid supporter of the Minnesota Vikings.

His grandchildren lived next door to the Saukville farm, and Mr. Elsila took great pleasure in spending time with them and helping them grow up.

Mr. Elsila is survived by his wife Martha of Saukville; children Alyssa (Andrew) Thomson and Evan, both of Saukville; grandchildren Kylie and Colton Thomson.  

He is further survived by siblings Charles Jr. (Dori) of Springfield, Ill., Diane (Charlie) Caldwell of Battle Creek, Mich., and Brian and Susan Elsila, both of Kenosha.

Mr. Elsila was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington.

Juan Otano Jr. will preside. Military honors will follow the service.

Visitation will be at the funeral home Saturday from 3 p.m. until the service.