Carletta Johnson (Miller) Elich
November 13, 1935 - January 8, 2025
Our beloved mother and grandmother, distinguished Mathematics educator, and dear friend.
Carletta Johnson (Miller) Elich of Murray, formerly of Tooele and Logan, passed away on January 8, 2025 at age 89. She is survived by her daughters Diane Miller Dooley (Boston, MA) and Janet Miller (Murray), grand-daughters Anna Nicole Dooley, Katharine Elizabeth Dooley, and Bridget Leigh Dooley.
Carletta was born in Flour Bluff, Texas to Jessie Mae and James Euel Johnson on November 13th, 1935. The seventh of nine children, Carletta worked on the family farm and relished both learning and teaching from a young age. in 1955 she married Robert Miller of Panguitch Utah, a naval pilot. Fewer than 5 years later she was left widowed with two young children.
Determined to make her own way in the world, Carletta earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mathematics from the University of Utah and University of Oregon respectively. She went on to a long career in education, teaching Mathematics at Skyline High School (Salt Lake City), Texas A&l University (Kingsville, TX) and Logan High School.
Carletta’s devotion to her students earned her several honors throughout her career, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics, Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Friends of the Logan Library Living Treasure Award.
In 1972, Carletta married Joseph Elich, a professor of Mathematics at Utah State University; the two were at the vanguard of incorporating the use of calculators into Math education, and together penned two textbooks on the subject. They lived together in Logan for many years, before retiring in Tooele. Joe passed away in 2003.
In her retirement, Carletta continued her dedication to public service as a tutor at New Hope House, and a volunteer at the Tooele hospital. She spent ample time enjoying nature with friends and family in Southern Utah, traveling and cruising internationally, and visiting family across the country.
Carletta will be remembered for her generosity of spirit, sly humor, and resilience.
A visitation will be on Wednesday, January 29 from 6-8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. A funeral service will be the following day, Thursday, January 30 at 9:00 AM, also at Starks Funeral Parlor. She will be laid to rest, following services at Panguitch City Cemetery, 290 S Cemetery Road, Panguitch, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Joe and Carletta J. Elich Scholarship Endowment Fund, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Utah State University.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the Murray Abbington Senior Living Memory Care staff and Canyon Homecare and Hospice staff for their loving and dedicated care.
In Loving Memory
Aunt Carletta I remember we entered into the Elich family about the same time. You were so nice, so fun and so energetic. I’ll always remember our trips to the cabin in Panquitch and all those amazing meals you cooked with the wood burning oven and stove. I’m going to miss you and will always remember the great times.
I am so sorry for your loss. She was a special lady.
What an amazing life she had. And created a beautiful family and life. She was truly ahead of her time. Eric and I send all of our love to the Miller family.
In Loving Memory
