A very loved and loving sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Millie married 1st on November 21, 1948, to Robert Dale Johnson. They had 2 daughters, Robin and Tanya, both of whom survived them.
She married 2nd in 1982 to Hershel Elam.
Mildred Luella Elam, known all her life as “Millie,” lived life to the fullest. She was outgoing, a leader, an organizer and a doer. While PTA president she was instrumental in getting people to vote for several new elementary schools. She was a girl scout leader, an Avon lady, and a telephone company secretary who traveled the state of Iowa teaching businesspeople how to use the phone system, which later became Verizon.
She had her gravestone depict an airplane because she was always very proud to have earned her pilot's license at the age of 50. The dandelion was her favorite “flower” and the picture of Jesus with “The Lord is My Shepherd,” which are also on her tombstone, represented her strong faith throughout life. She was unique, a person who thought outside the box before it became popular. She taught Sunday School. Over the years she wrote thousands of cards and letters to family, friends and relatives and so many others that she knew, always drawing pictures of smiling flowers or bunnies or squirrels or whatever came to mind, especially on children’s cards.
Millie always maintained a positive attitude and a cheerful and happy disposition that drew others to her. She was a very independent person who accomplished much in her lifetime and when she made up her mind to do something there was never any doubt in her mind she couldn’t. At age 83 she experienced parasailing in the Caribbean. She was also a foster grandparent in her 80s and worked in the classrooms with the elementary schoolchildren which she greatly enjoyed. The Lord blessed her in that she was still living in her own home and driving while in her 90s.
She was loved by so many and is greatly missed by all who knew her.
Obituary for Millie ELam
Millie L. Elam, 96, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge. A Celebration of Her Life will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Mike Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Thursday at the Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Fort Dodge. Those attending the visitation and service are encouraged to wear masks and observe physical distancing.
Millie is survived by her two daughters, Robin Winton of Escondido, California and Tanya (Kent) Hayden of Fort Worth, Texas; 8 grandchildren, Loreen Morgan, Darrell Bennett, Angelica Winton, Guy Winton IV, Charity Winton, Tamara (Erik) Chairez, Stacie Hayden, and Emma (Bruno) Boutet; 5 great grandchildren, Daniel Morgan, Devin Morgan, Alyssa Morgan, Kallista Primrose and Landon Chairez. She is also survived by her siblings, Larry (Jean) Cartee of Fort Dodge, Denise Bockoven of Columbia, South Carolina, and Malcolm “Mac” (Gloria) Cartee Tomah, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Linda Cartee of Fort Dodge. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert “Bud” Cartee and a brother-in-law, Wayne Bockoven.
Millie Luella Cartee, the daughter of Clifford and Ruth (Dugan) Cartee, was born May 10, 1924, in Fort Dodge at home during a spring snow storm. Millie graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1942 and then attended Jr. College in Fort Dodge. She loved learning and was able to get her degree from Drake University in 1979 at the age of 55. On November 21, 1948, Millie married Robert Johnson in Fort Dodge. They had two children, Robin and Tanya. The couple later divorced. Millie worked at the Continental Telephone Company in Knoxville, Iowa, what later developed into Verizon, for 13 years. Millie married Hershel Elam in Pickens, South Carolina on June 29, 1982 and they made their home in Brevard, North Carolina until 1988 when they moved to Bruceton, Tennessee. Hershel and Mille divorced in 1998, and she then returned to Fort Dodge where she made her home. Millie enjoyed a busy life style. At the age of 50 Millie was able to earn her pilot’s license. Millie loved to do volunteer work. She wrote 100s of letters to friends and family just to lift their spirits and to encourage them. She enjoyed visiting residents at the local care centers. Her calling in life was just to take care of people’s needs. She loved to travel especially to see her children and grandchildren. Millie was a Foster Grandparent and attended Faith Baptist Church in Fort Dodge.
Millie married 1st on November 21, 1948, to Robert Dale Johnson. They had 2 daughters, Robin and Tanya, both of whom survived them.
She married 2nd in 1982 to Hershel Elam.
Mildred Luella Elam, known all her life as “Millie,” lived life to the fullest. She was outgoing, a leader, an organizer and a doer. While PTA president she was instrumental in getting people to vote for several new elementary schools. She was a girl scout leader, an Avon lady, and a telephone company secretary who traveled the state of Iowa teaching businesspeople how to use the phone system, which later became Verizon.
She had her gravestone depict an airplane because she was always very proud to have earned her pilot's license at the age of 50. The dandelion was her favorite “flower” and the picture of Jesus with “The Lord is My Shepherd,” which are also on her tombstone, represented her strong faith throughout life. She was unique, a person who thought outside the box before it became popular. She taught Sunday School. Over the years she wrote thousands of cards and letters to family, friends and relatives and so many others that she knew, always drawing pictures of smiling flowers or bunnies or squirrels or whatever came to mind, especially on children’s cards.
Millie always maintained a positive attitude and a cheerful and happy disposition that drew others to her. She was a very independent person who accomplished much in her lifetime and when she made up her mind to do something there was never any doubt in her mind she couldn’t. At age 83 she experienced parasailing in the Caribbean. She was also a foster grandparent in her 80s and worked in the classrooms with the elementary schoolchildren which she greatly enjoyed. The Lord blessed her in that she was still living in her own home and driving while in her 90s.
She was loved by so many and is greatly missed by all who knew her.
Obituary for Millie ELam
Millie L. Elam, 96, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge. A Celebration of Her Life will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Mike Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Thursday at the Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Fort Dodge. Those attending the visitation and service are encouraged to wear masks and observe physical distancing.
Millie is survived by her two daughters, Robin Winton of Escondido, California and Tanya (Kent) Hayden of Fort Worth, Texas; 8 grandchildren, Loreen Morgan, Darrell Bennett, Angelica Winton, Guy Winton IV, Charity Winton, Tamara (Erik) Chairez, Stacie Hayden, and Emma (Bruno) Boutet; 5 great grandchildren, Daniel Morgan, Devin Morgan, Alyssa Morgan, Kallista Primrose and Landon Chairez. She is also survived by her siblings, Larry (Jean) Cartee of Fort Dodge, Denise Bockoven of Columbia, South Carolina, and Malcolm “Mac” (Gloria) Cartee Tomah, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Linda Cartee of Fort Dodge. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert “Bud” Cartee and a brother-in-law, Wayne Bockoven.
Millie Luella Cartee, the daughter of Clifford and Ruth (Dugan) Cartee, was born May 10, 1924, in Fort Dodge at home during a spring snow storm. Millie graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1942 and then attended Jr. College in Fort Dodge. She loved learning and was able to get her degree from Drake University in 1979 at the age of 55. On November 21, 1948, Millie married Robert Johnson in Fort Dodge. They had two children, Robin and Tanya. The couple later divorced. Millie worked at the Continental Telephone Company in Knoxville, Iowa, what later developed into Verizon, for 13 years. Millie married Hershel Elam in Pickens, South Carolina on June 29, 1982 and they made their home in Brevard, North Carolina until 1988 when they moved to Bruceton, Tennessee. Hershel and Mille divorced in 1998, and she then returned to Fort Dodge where she made her home. Millie enjoyed a busy life style. At the age of 50 Millie was able to earn her pilot’s license. Millie loved to do volunteer work. She wrote 100s of letters to friends and family just to lift their spirits and to encourage them. She enjoyed visiting residents at the local care centers. Her calling in life was just to take care of people’s needs. She loved to travel especially to see her children and grandchildren. Millie was a Foster Grandparent and attended Faith Baptist Church in Fort Dodge.
A very loved and loving sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Millie married 1st on November 21, 1948, to Robert Dale Johnson. They had 2 daughters, Robin and Tanya, both of whom survived them.
She married 2nd in 1982 to Hershel Elam.
Mildred Luella Elam, known all her life as “Millie,” lived life to the fullest. She was outgoing, a leader, an organizer and a doer. While PTA president she was instrumental in getting people to vote for several new elementary schools. She was a girl scout leader, an Avon lady, and a telephone company secretary who traveled the state of Iowa teaching businesspeople how to use the phone system, which later became Verizon.
She had her gravestone depict an airplane because she was always very proud to have earned her pilot's license at the age of 50. The dandelion was her favorite “flower” and the picture of Jesus with “The Lord is My Shepherd,” which are also on her tombstone, represented her strong faith throughout life. She was unique, a person who thought outside the box before it became popular. She taught Sunday School. Over the years she wrote thousands of cards and letters to family, friends and relatives and so many others that she knew, always drawing pictures of smiling flowers or bunnies or squirrels or whatever came to mind, especially on children’s cards.
Millie always maintained a positive attitude and a cheerful and happy disposition that drew others to her. She was a very independent person who accomplished much in her lifetime and when she made up her mind to do something there was never any doubt in her mind she couldn’t. At age 83 she experienced parasailing in the Caribbean. She was also a foster grandparent in her 80s and worked in the classrooms with the elementary schoolchildren which she greatly enjoyed. The Lord blessed her in that she was still living in her own home and driving while in her 90s.
She was loved by so many and is greatly missed by all who knew her.
Obituary for Millie ELam
Millie L. Elam, 96, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge. A Celebration of Her Life will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Mike Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Thursday at the Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Fort Dodge. Those attending the visitation and service are encouraged to wear masks and observe physical distancing.
Millie is survived by her two daughters, Robin Winton of Escondido, California and Tanya (Kent) Hayden of Fort Worth, Texas; 8 grandchildren, Loreen Morgan, Darrell Bennett, Angelica Winton, Guy Winton IV, Charity Winton, Tamara (Erik) Chairez, Stacie Hayden, and Emma (Bruno) Boutet; 5 great grandchildren, Daniel Morgan, Devin Morgan, Alyssa Morgan, Kallista Primrose and Landon Chairez. She is also survived by her siblings, Larry (Jean) Cartee of Fort Dodge, Denise Bockoven of Columbia, South Carolina, and Malcolm “Mac” (Gloria) Cartee Tomah, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Linda Cartee of Fort Dodge. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert “Bud” Cartee and a brother-in-law, Wayne Bockoven.
Millie Luella Cartee, the daughter of Clifford and Ruth (Dugan) Cartee, was born May 10, 1924, in Fort Dodge at home during a spring snow storm. Millie graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1942 and then attended Jr. College in Fort Dodge. She loved learning and was able to get her degree from Drake University in 1979 at the age of 55. On November 21, 1948, Millie married Robert Johnson in Fort Dodge. They had two children, Robin and Tanya. The couple later divorced. Millie worked at the Continental Telephone Company in Knoxville, Iowa, what later developed into Verizon, for 13 years. Millie married Hershel Elam in Pickens, South Carolina on June 29, 1982 and they made their home in Brevard, North Carolina until 1988 when they moved to Bruceton, Tennessee. Hershel and Mille divorced in 1998, and she then returned to Fort Dodge where she made her home. Millie enjoyed a busy life style. At the age of 50 Millie was able to earn her pilot’s license. Millie loved to do volunteer work. She wrote 100s of letters to friends and family just to lift their spirits and to encourage them. She enjoyed visiting residents at the local care centers. Her calling in life was just to take care of people’s needs. She loved to travel especially to see her children and grandchildren. Millie was a Foster Grandparent and attended Faith Baptist Church in Fort Dodge.
Millie married 1st on November 21, 1948, to Robert Dale Johnson. They had 2 daughters, Robin and Tanya, both of whom survived them.
She married 2nd in 1982 to Hershel Elam.
Mildred Luella Elam, known all her life as “Millie,” lived life to the fullest. She was outgoing, a leader, an organizer and a doer. While PTA president she was instrumental in getting people to vote for several new elementary schools. She was a girl scout leader, an Avon lady, and a telephone company secretary who traveled the state of Iowa teaching businesspeople how to use the phone system, which later became Verizon.
She had her gravestone depict an airplane because she was always very proud to have earned her pilot's license at the age of 50. The dandelion was her favorite “flower” and the picture of Jesus with “The Lord is My Shepherd,” which are also on her tombstone, represented her strong faith throughout life. She was unique, a person who thought outside the box before it became popular. She taught Sunday School. Over the years she wrote thousands of cards and letters to family, friends and relatives and so many others that she knew, always drawing pictures of smiling flowers or bunnies or squirrels or whatever came to mind, especially on children’s cards.
Millie always maintained a positive attitude and a cheerful and happy disposition that drew others to her. She was a very independent person who accomplished much in her lifetime and when she made up her mind to do something there was never any doubt in her mind she couldn’t. At age 83 she experienced parasailing in the Caribbean. She was also a foster grandparent in her 80s and worked in the classrooms with the elementary schoolchildren which she greatly enjoyed. The Lord blessed her in that she was still living in her own home and driving while in her 90s.
She was loved by so many and is greatly missed by all who knew her.
Obituary for Millie ELam
Millie L. Elam, 96, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge. A Celebration of Her Life will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Mike Crawford officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Thursday at the Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Fort Dodge. Those attending the visitation and service are encouraged to wear masks and observe physical distancing.
Millie is survived by her two daughters, Robin Winton of Escondido, California and Tanya (Kent) Hayden of Fort Worth, Texas; 8 grandchildren, Loreen Morgan, Darrell Bennett, Angelica Winton, Guy Winton IV, Charity Winton, Tamara (Erik) Chairez, Stacie Hayden, and Emma (Bruno) Boutet; 5 great grandchildren, Daniel Morgan, Devin Morgan, Alyssa Morgan, Kallista Primrose and Landon Chairez. She is also survived by her siblings, Larry (Jean) Cartee of Fort Dodge, Denise Bockoven of Columbia, South Carolina, and Malcolm “Mac” (Gloria) Cartee Tomah, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Linda Cartee of Fort Dodge. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert “Bud” Cartee and a brother-in-law, Wayne Bockoven.
Millie Luella Cartee, the daughter of Clifford and Ruth (Dugan) Cartee, was born May 10, 1924, in Fort Dodge at home during a spring snow storm. Millie graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1942 and then attended Jr. College in Fort Dodge. She loved learning and was able to get her degree from Drake University in 1979 at the age of 55. On November 21, 1948, Millie married Robert Johnson in Fort Dodge. They had two children, Robin and Tanya. The couple later divorced. Millie worked at the Continental Telephone Company in Knoxville, Iowa, what later developed into Verizon, for 13 years. Millie married Hershel Elam in Pickens, South Carolina on June 29, 1982 and they made their home in Brevard, North Carolina until 1988 when they moved to Bruceton, Tennessee. Hershel and Mille divorced in 1998, and she then returned to Fort Dodge where she made her home. Millie enjoyed a busy life style. At the age of 50 Millie was able to earn her pilot’s license. Millie loved to do volunteer work. She wrote 100s of letters to friends and family just to lift their spirits and to encourage them. She enjoyed visiting residents at the local care centers. Her calling in life was just to take care of people’s needs. She loved to travel especially to see her children and grandchildren. Millie was a Foster Grandparent and attended Faith Baptist Church in Fort Dodge.
