Couple married 65 years die 11 hours Apart (PHOTO)

An elderly Ohio couple died 11 hours apart in their shared nursing home room, nearly 66 years after they were first married, US media report.

Elderly Couple Pass Away 11 hours apart, After 65 Years of Marriage

After 65 years of devoted marriage, a couple in Dayton, Ohio ironically parted the world on the same day, only separated by 11 hours. Having shared a nursing room together, Harold Knapke passed away first, with his wife Ruth passing away only 11 hours later.

Harold and Ruth had six children together. Their daughters said that their father appeared committed to staying by his wife’s side, even during diminishing health problems. There was a photo taken of the couple, with Harold stretching his arms over to his wife through the guard rails so he could bless her with holy water–this was a custom which he followed every night before the couple went to sleep.

“I think we all agreed it was no coincidence,” said Carol Romie, one of the Fort Recovery, Ohio, couple’s six children. “When mom became ill, we tried to make it clear to dad that mom wasn’t going to make it, and he seemed really agitated for a day or so, at first. And then he became really calm, and I think he decided, ‘No she’s not going without me.’”

“Mom had said so, in as many words, that she didn’t want to be here without dad,” Romie said. “They were just so devoted to one another.”

Harold and Ruth met as children, and became pen pals during the time Harold served in the army during World War II. After returning from the military and marrying, Harold became a teacher, athletic coach, and athletic director for Fort Recovery Schools.

The married couple had a joint funeral mass and ceremony. The funeral procession visited the Knapke’s old farm, where the current owners proudly placed their flag at half mass in honor of the married couple.

The children all recalled their parents as having a marriage that was a “true love story.” They were known by many for being completely dedicated and loyal to each other.

“When they were at the house in Russia, the caregiver would get mom tucked in each night and then dad would go in and bless her with holy water and give her a kiss. That was part of their ritual,” Romie recalled, calling them “very affectionate.”

“Saturday nights, when they watched ‘The Lawrence Welk Show,’ they’d sit on the couch together and hold hands,” Romie said. “We would help mom up so she could sway because she loved to dance. Dad used to say that mom could make any man look like a good dancer because she was so good.”

Couple married 65 years die 11 hours Apart (PHOTO)

On The Web:

Ohio Couple Married 65 Years Die 11 Hours Apart
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ohio-couple-married-65-years-die-11-hours-20067227

Harold and Ruth Knapke, Married 65 Years, Die 11 Hours Apart
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/08/harold-and-ruth-knapke-married-65-years-die-11-hours-apart/