Elsa Julia Briggs

Elsa Julia Briggs, age 98, of Sonoma, passed away peacefully at home with her children by her side in the early evening of August 14, 2024.  Elsa was born on May 9, 1926, in Eureka, California, and grew up in the heart of the California redwoods. Elsa was the daughter of Ola and Dagny Olson, Scandinavian parents who immigrated to America and settled in northern California.  She attended the Eureka School System, graduating with the Eureka High School Class of 1944. 

Elsa met the love of her life, Lee, on a blind date at the Annual Fireman's Ball in Eureka, on February 22, 1947. After a four-month courtship, they married at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church on July 2, 1947, in Santa Rosa. They were married 70 years until Lee’s passing on September 2, 2017. Their enduring marriage and five children are a testament to their unwavering love and commitment to one another.

Elsa lived her life in an exemplary way. Among the hallmarks of Elsa’s life are her devotion to her family, husband Lee and her five children. She was steadfastly present through Lee’s World War II/Korean War military service, his middle life career change to return to college and become an educator, building the family’s first home, and in 1964, relocating the family to Sonoma Valley to begin a new life adventure.

Elsa embarked on a forty-plus year career in the dental field working for several local dentists in the valley. But her legacy extends beyond her family and professional career.  Elsa had a passion for exercise, especially walking, with her Jack Russell Terrier, Jack, through Sonoma’s neighborhoods, always reminding us that she was heeding the guidance of her former doctor, “to stay vertical.” In fact, as recently as a few weeks ago, at two years shy of 100, she was still doing scores of laps through the house with her walker. 

She loved to read and was an ardent SF Giants, Warriors and 49er fan.  To community members, Elsa was known for her years of proud volunteerism at Friends in Sonoma Helping (F.I.S.H.); she was the “go to” person to write thank you notes to all the generous valley donors in her beautiful, impeccable handwriting.

Among her many other life impacts was her tireless commitment as family photographer, creating hundreds of enduring family memories captured for her children, grand and great-grandchildren. They love to immerse themselves in family albums each visit and will cherish the memories for generations to come. 

To her children, grand and greatgrandchildren, Mom / Mammy redefined kind hearted and thoughtfulness.  Year after year, month after month, she penned lovely personal notes to them and often to their friends, who also counted Elsa as one of their own friends.  In recent years, Elsa added the smart phone to her communication skills.  She was an avid iPhone user and was as adept at texting and using emoji’s as any of her grandkids.

To her family and friends, Elsa will be remembered as a strong, independent woman, with a disarming sense of humor, a radiant smile, and a flare for style.  She was honest and direct, a “straight-shooter.” Elsa was selfless and accepting. With her husband Lee, she raised an extraordinary family, for whom she loved and cared deeply.  She lived a full and robust life, with 60 of her 98 years in the Sonoma Valley.

Elsa is predeceased by her husband, Lee, and is survived by daughters Lynn Briggs, Yorktown Heights, New York, Julie Krnaich, Petaluma, California, and Tish Haselden (Pat), Houston, Texas and sons Dan Briggs (Susan), Galena, Ohio and Mike Briggs (Patty), Sonoma, California, ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.  Elsa is also predeceased by her only sibling, sister Astrid Olson, of Tahoe City.  Elsa will be interred with her husband, Lee, at the Veterans Memorial Park Cemetery in Sonoma.

A celebration of life with family and friends will be scheduled later this year. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Elsa’s memory may be made to Friends in Sonoma Helping (F.I.S.H.), Pets Lifeline, or the charity of your choice. 

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