Daniel James Elsener

daniel elsener

December 16, 1976 ~ February 22, 2024

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Daniel James Elsener, 47, Indianapolis, passed away peacefully February 22, 2024, after a lengthy and courageous battle with a rare autoimmune disease.  Dan was born December 16, 1976, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Daniel J. and Elizabeth (Waite) Elsener.  
The Elsener Family moved to Indianapolis in 1992, when Dan was a sophomore in high school.  He became a student at Roncalli High School and graduated in 1995.  It was there that Dan met his future bride, Rebecca Koehler.   The two fell in love and married on June 25, 2000.  Three children were born from this union, Isabel, Ava, and Daniel Charles.  Following high school, Dan proudly served in active duty with the United States Marine Corps.  Following his discharge, he continued to serve periodically as a reserve; Dan was always proud of his service to his country.  
 
A natural people person, Dan had a huge heart, a calming demeanor that made his career as a paramedic a wonderful fit.   He also attended nursing school that leant itself to his interest in helping people.  Perhaps most important in Dan’s life was his ability to cook – he loved food and serving wonderful meals to his family and friends.  Just prior to his illness, he had purchased a food trailer and had big plans to create a successful business. With Dan’s passion for food, it was inevitably to be a huge success.  

Dan was a huge outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, and always remaining loyal to his home state of Nebraska.  And only his children could tell it best with the following written just this week:  We all know my dad is funny, he never fails to make anyone laugh. Our door is always open, he welcomes anyone in, and always has an extravagant meal waiting for them. He loves music, especially country music. He loves hunting and fishing, cooking, singing funny songs in the kitchen, supporting us in everything we do, and we can’t forget the Nebraska Huskers. He is always the guy to talk to strangers in public, being friendly to anyone he meets. 

And of course, he loves my mom. We have watched my mom show up and sacrifice every single day for him and do everything that is best for him. Their love and her actions inspire us to push through every day.  Our Dad is a fighter. He is the strongest person that we know and is the reason we are all strong enough to fight for him today. He is the greatest, most supportive, most loving Father that anyone could ask for. 

Survivors include his loving wife, Rebecca, to whom he was united in marriage June 25, 2000; children, Isabel (Brian Paul) Elsener, Ava Elsener, Daniel Charles “Charlie” Elsener; parents, Daniel J. and Elizabeth Elsener; siblings, Andrew (Chrissy) Elsener, Anne (Ben Hilby) Elsener, Elizabeth (Danny) Mayer, Maria (Tim) Elsener-Mayer, Charles (Kelly) Elsener, Joseph Elsener, Sheila (John) Hasty, and Luke (Morgan) Elsener; 40 adoring nieces and nephews; many loving cousins, aunts, uncles, and in-laws.  

A Life Celebration® Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 2 to 8 p.m., at the
O’Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 126 West Georgia Street, Indianapolis. Memorial contributions may be made to The Semper Fi Fund.  Visit www.ORileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.  

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  1. What a beautiful human. I’ll never forget the night he drove to St Joe College in a snowstorm. I’ve never seen his brother so excited. We had never met before then, but he treated me like we were long lost buddies. Continued prayers for Dan and the Elsener’s. Love that family.

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  2. One of the finest compliments, a man can earn, he never met a stranger. Blessings from a friend of uncle Terry, whose praise of Danny was a near constant.

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  3. Dan was a great friend and supporter of our son. We appreciated his friendship over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and all his family.

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  5. I have really fond memories of Dan. He was a friendly high school classmate and an all around nice guy. I send lots of prayers to his family.

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  10. May your good memories, your deep faith and your strong sense of family help you through these painful days.
    Blessings of Peace.

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  11. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, & for the family at this time. I’ve lost grandparents, parents, a sibling and many other relatives, but I think there’s nothing harder than a parent loosing a child.

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  20. It was such an honor to coach Danny in football at Roncalli. Without question, he was one of our best all-around players on the ‘93 and ‘94 State Championship teams. He was very athletic on both sides of the ball. However, as good as he was as a player, he was an even better young man! He was intense and tough, yet also very respectful, loyal and hard working. I was always very proud of the fine husband, father, and good man he became… truly a wonderful reflection of his parents! He will certainly be missed by many!! May God bless you with eternal peace, Danny… you deserve it!!

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  21. I looked up to Danny as a hero when I was growing up. He was the biggest reason that I wanted to be a marine. I will be forever grateful for the permanent positive impact he had on my life. My condolences to the entire family. May God welcome you with open arms into his Kingdom, Danny. Semper Fidelis

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  44. Danny’s obituary is spot-on. Despite his accomplishments and experiences, Danny remained a humble man. He saved his pride for his wife (a/k/a “Ginger, The Accountant and Fantastic Baker”) and his children, Isabelle (the “Happy Homemaker” with her degree from Purdue) (Brian, the son-in-law “The Builder”), Ava (“The Ballerina” turned “Cowgirl”) and Charlie (his “Bantering Clone”), of all of them he was fiercely proud.

    I have a lot of great memories and stories of Danny (most of those best reserved for a medium other than the internet). Indicative of his concern for others and fatherly guidance, though, was his last disease-free spring in 2022 when he brought four young guys and two pickup trucks out to our Homestead in rural Nebraska. We had a great time with Brian, the then future son-in-law, Eldon with his endless enthusiasm, Jackson with his quiet wit and great guitar playing and, of course, Charlie, whose exchanges with his father kept us in stitches. We were outside from dawn to dusk followed by evenings with feasts, tales and music by the fireplace or fireside. One of the highlights was the design and construction of what is now known as “the Danny J. Elsener Memorial Shooting Platform”. It was a Spring Break I will never forget and I trust the same will be true of the four gentlemen he brought with him.

    Dan and Beth, you did a fine job raising such a fine man.

    “Uncle Terry”

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  57. So this is a tough one. Dan, I am going to miss our random colorful conversations. (Some at midnight). Dan was a very selfless man, which was evident through his service to his country as a marine, his community as a paramedic and nurse. I had many conversations with him about the self worth of helping others. We always had fun no matter how long it had been since we had seen each other. Our conversations picked up like we had just seen each other a few days ago. I will never forget the morning he was out here deer hunting with his son and uncle and Rebecca called and asked if he was about back home. (This is when he lived in Nebraska yet) he said well not exactly, I’m gutting a deer. There was silence for a second and then from 10feet away I heard, you’ve gotta be sh….ng me! Dan looked at me after the call and said well that didn’t go well then smiled and said but we got a deer. I’m going to miss his smile and good nature. He was one of the good ones and I will never forget him. Until we meet again my friend. Vince Turpin

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  62. Dan,

    Thank you for being a friend to our family. We appreciate and dearly miss your kind spirit and gentle humbleness. Rest easy, brother Dan!

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  64. To Ava this is Hannah’s grandma praying for peace and comfort from your family and friends and from me that god will give you strength
    To live on

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  66. Dear Dan & Beth,

    We find it difficult to express the sadness we feel at the loss of your beloved son Danny. Our hearts go out to you and your family at this incredibly difficult time. We pray you find strength and comfort in the memories that lives on your hearts.

    In Sympathy and Friendship,

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