Elsa Madland Roberts

Elsa Madland Roberts passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Johns Creek, GA, at the age of 96. Elsa was born in Stavanger, Norway, on December 3, 1929. She was the youngest of three children born to Peder and Astrid (Garpestad) Madland. She received her formal nursing education through the Norwegian Red Cross in Oslo, Norway. At the age of 29 she came to the United States for a year, living with a cousin in Cleveland, Ohio. There she met Lawrence “Larry” Blair Roberts, Jr., and they married on August 6th, 1960. They had three daughters while living in Indianapolis, Indiana: Lisa, Inger, and Kristine. Elsa, Larry, and the girls moved south to Roswell, GA, in the early 1970s, where they raised their family. Elsa kept a pristine and comfortable home for her family and was a selfless, giving wife and mother who constantly put her family’s needs above her own. She worked part-time at Northside Hospital, Peachford Hospital, and Piedmont Hospital, all in the Atlanta area. She was an exceptional baker and cook who treated family, neighbors, and friends to her special English Toffee Cookies, Norwegian torte, and many other delicious baked goods and dishes. She sewed and did needlework (crochet and cross stitch). She loved to travel, visit with friends, and spend time with family. She was a lifelong Bridge player, learning Bridge at the age of 12 and playing in various Bridge groups into her mid-80s. She was a member of the Ladies of Norway and loved to participate in the former Atlanta area's annual Scandinavian Festival, serving Norwegian Waffles and homemade raspberry jam. After the death of Elsa’s husband Larry in 2001, she married Charles MacWilliams in November 2004. She was delighted to become the grandmother of seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was the best Mor Mor to them and loved to serve them Norwegian waffles with her homemade raspberry jam for breakfast. Elsa was a member of the Roswell United Methodist Church. Elsa is survived by her loving husband, Charles MacWilliams; her three daughters, Lisa Roberts Milo, Inger Roberts Prescott (Sherwin), and Kristine Roberts Webster; her six grandchildren: Diana Marie Prescott, Jacob Edward Milo (Zack), Blair Madland Milo, Sally Prescott Johnson (Per), Brandon Davis Webster, and William Holden Turner; four great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Caroline, Lila, and Bennett; many nieces and nephews in Norway. She is preceded in death by a grandson, Henry “Hank” Sherwin Prescott IV (25); her sister, Judith Madland Medby; and her brother, Per Madland. The family cannot express enough gratitude to Elsa’s caregiver, Diana Matenje. The love, incredible patience, tenderness, and care Diana gave to Elsa for the past four years is immeasurably appreciated and the family is forever grateful. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2025, at 3:00 pm at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Rd, Roswell, GA 30075 with Rev. Richard Long officiating. Family and friends are invited to light refreshments following the service. Remembrances may be made to the Roswell United Methodist Church in memory of Elsa Roberts.

Elsa Madland Roberts

December 3, 1929 - December 21, 2025