Elva N. (Barnard) Bartels

Elva Nadine Bartels passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026 in McKinney, TX. Elva was born on January 8, 1934 in Beatrice, to Elden and Lucille (Grimes) Barnard. She grew up on a farm west of Beatrice alongside her loving parents and only sister, Shirley. She was particularly close to her Aunt Ollie and cousin Allen Grell during her formative years and until their deaths.

Elva loved living on the farm, and was a great helper to both her parents, with farm and domestic duties. She loved dogs and horses and rode her horse to country school. Elva was a gifted writer, orator, and lover of learning. She graduated from Beatrice High School in 1951 and continued her education at Lincoln General Hospital School or Nursing, from which she graduated in 1954, becoming a Registered Nurse.

Elva married G. Bruce Bartels on August 12, 1956. In the early years of their marriage, Bruce was a school administrator in Edgar and Tekamah, and pursuing his doctorate in education, Elva was a busy homemaker, mother to her young children, and part time nurse. The family moved to Chadron in 1962 where Bruce was employed by Chadron State College (CSC). Elva spent the next many years being a supportive wife to Bruce and raising her four children, maintaining heavy involvement in her children’s activities and education. Elva was a dedicated volunteer to many organizations and causes, including Immanuel Lutheran Church, CSC faculty wives, American Heart Association, and P.E.O. While in Chadron, Bruce and Elva forged long, lasting friendships with many people from all walks of life, and Chadron truly became their home.

In 1992, upon Bruce’s retirement from CSC, Bruce and Elva moved to Albion, to be closer to family. They became very involved with Zion Lutheran Church, and Elva volunteered her nursing skills to provide foot care to elderly residents at Albion Senior Center. Elva and Bruce continued to live lives of service to their community and family.

Predeceasing Elva was her loving husband, Bruce; parents Elden and Lucille Barnard; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Norm Drevo; parents in law, Pauley and Lois Bartels; sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Sam Porter; brother-and-sister-in-law, Paul and Darlene Bartels; aunt and uncle, Ollie and Leo Grell, and Allen Grell; nephew, Kent Porter; and a host of extended family and friends.

Surviving Elva are her sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Kathy Bartels, Tom and Priscilla Bartels; daughters, Lisa Carder and Susie Wurtz; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Christopher (Angie) Carder, Aubrey, Callie, Macy and Bryn Carder; Andrea (Jeremy) Aylward, Nora, Violet, Lucy and Jack Aylward; Meaghan (Weston) Williams, Josie and Henry Williams; Grace (Josh) Seiler; Matthew and McKenzie Wurtz; many nieces and nephew, and their families.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM Monday, June 8, 2026 at First Christian Church in Beatrice with Pastor Jeff Collins officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasantview Cemetery near Pickrell. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice in care of the mortuary. Condolences may be left online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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