Clara Irene (Entz) Bartel, 95 year-old Hydro, Oklahoma resident, was born March 31, 1921, on the Svec Farm near Hinton, Oklahoma, to John A. and Elsie (Ewy) Entz and passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2016, at Maple Lawn Manor in Hydro, Oklahoma.

The family joined Bethel Mennonite Church where Clara was baptized on May 27, 1934. Clara attended school in Edinburg, Texas, Prairie View Rural School, graduating from Eakly, Oklahoma in 1940. Following high school graduation she attended classes at Oklahoma Bible Academy and cared for people in their homes.

In January of 1942, she was accepted into the School of Nursing at the Hertzler Hospital in Halstead, Kansas. Clara graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1945. Following graduation she worked as a surgical nurse and in the lab at the Halstead Hospital. On March 22, 1953, Clara married Olen G. Bartel in the First Mennonite Church in Halstead, Kansas. They made their home in the Halstead and Moundridge communities. To this union two children were born, Elsie Marie on December 14, 1955 and David John on February 3, 1959.

In the spring of 1965, Olen and Clara moved to Hydro, Oklahoma to raise their family. In 1968, Clara became the Director of Nursing at Hydro Manor, retiring in 1986. After retirement, Clara filled her time with many hobbies and helping people in the community, which she taught to her grandchildren.

Clara is survived by a daughter, Elsie Cox of Weatherford, Oklahoma; a son, David Bartel and wife, Pam of West Fork, Arkansas; a brother, Roy Entz of Muskogee, Oklahoma; a sister, Wilma McKee of Hydro, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Angella Ahart, Leona Haegele, Sabrina Smith, Catrina Anderson, Michael Cox and Matthew Cox; and ten great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Harold and Clayton Entz; and son-in-law, Byron Cox.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 2, 2016, 2:00 P.M. in the Bethel Mennonite Church with Pastor Bob Sprunger officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Mennonite Cemetery.