Iowa Couple Married 72 Years Dies Holding Hands, an Hour Apart

[Nica_In_Love 98]

By CHRISTINA NG

Oct. 19, 2011

A devoted Iowa couple married for 72 years died holding hands in the hospital last week, exactly one hour apart.

The passing reflected the nature of their marriage, where, "As a rule, everything was done together," said the couple's daughter Donna Sheets, 71.

Gordon Yeager, 94, and his wife Norma, 90, left their small town of State Center, Iowa, on Wednesday to go into town, but never made it. A car accident sent the couple to the emergency room and intensive care unit with broken bones and other injuries. But, even in the hospital, their concerns were each other.

"She was saying her chest hurt and what's wrong with Dad? Even laying there like that, she was worried about Dad," said the couple's son, Dennis Yeager, 52. "And his back was hurting and he was asking about Mom."

When it became clear that their conditions were not improving, the couple was moved into a room together in beds side-by-side where they could hold hands.

"They joined hands; his right hand, her left hand," Sheets said.

Gordon Yeager died at 3:38 p.m. He was no longer breathing, but the family was surprised by what his monitor showed.

"Someone in there said, 'Why, then, when we look at the monitor is the heart still beating?'" Sheets recalled. "The nurse said Dad was picking up Mom's heartbeat through Mom's hand."

"And we thought, 'Oh my gosh, Mom's heart is beating through him,'" Dennis Yeager said.

Norma Yeager died exactly an hour later.

Complete story:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/iowa-couple-married-72-years-dies-holding-hands/story?id=14771029

[Enigma11561 336]

I wonder how many here, who met their "loved one" after a 5 day visit and got married, will be able to do this.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

Only time will tell. Back in the day it seemed to be more common for people to stick together. I have an aunt and uncle who eloped just after a few weeks of knowing each other, and in June they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

[Krikit 1,166]

I wonder how many here, who met their "loved one" after a 5 day visit and got married, will be able to do this.

I guess just the ones who drive into town, get into a car accident, end up in Emergency, then get moved into a room together because they're about to die.

[skiptex 225]

there was almost as sad as the ending of "WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS">>

[SMR 368]

there was almost as sad as the ending of "WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS">>

I'm not sure if this was supposed to be an amusing comment but it made me laugh. Thanks.

[Nikita2Charles 33]

Kinda remind me of One of my Favorite Movie

THE NOTEBOOK

[ScramJet 35]

My then girlfriend now wife made me watch Notebook. To this day I firmly believe than only overly sensitive princess can digest that regurgitated omelette of emotions. Movie is so sentimental and filed with childhood like fantasies it's ridiculous

[웃 910]

My then girlfriend now wife made me watch Notebook. To this day I firmly believe than only overly sensitive princess can digest that regurgitated omelette of emotions. Movie is so sentimental and filed with childhood like fantasies it's ridiculous

[Chynna/gapamix 11]

I did see this article yesterday. It was touching....

[TheFantastics09 19]

Very sweet article!