Ohio couple Harold and Ruth Knapke died just hours apart in their hospital room earlier this month, just days before they would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.
According to the Epoch Times, Harold, 91, and Ruth, 88, died on Aug. 11, 2013 at the hospital in Versailles, Ohio. An obituary for the couple notes that they will celebrate their anniversary in heaven.
Their story was first reported by the Dayton Daily News, which noted that their relationshionship dated back to the days before World War II. Ruth had a crush on Harold while they were in the third grade and wrote letters to each other during the war. They married on Aug. 20, 1947, dying just nine days before their 66th anniversary.
The New York Daily News notes that Harold had been in declining health, but did whatever he could to stay with Ruth. Harold died just 10 hours before Ruth did.
The couple leaves behind two sons and four daughters, along with 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
People have left behind warm memories of the couple in the funeral home’s guest book. “I am sorry to hear of your double loss,” wrote Margaret Medford. “It was a blessing that they stayed together to the end. Carol's mom and dad were always kind to me. I admire that you all were encouraged to further your education just as my mom did for the eight of us Medfords. I am thinking of you and send you God's peace.”