The couple married for 70-years died 20-minutes apart

A Michigan couple married for 70-years died within a space of 20-minutes apart in the same hospital.

Freda and Les Austin, both 90, from Jackson, were both admitted in the same hospital on 6 December 2019 and they were in beds side when they passed on the next day. Reported by MLive.com

They both met in high school in 1949. The couple had only celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in November 2019

“Les and Freda did everything in common. They did not stop with death. Sandy Maes, their daughter told the newspaper. “I think they knew each other was passing and they are eternally bonded. And I think it was beautiful.

Michael Austin, their son added, “If they had to go this way, it was about as romantic as you could get”

Freda enjoyed making meals for the family. She collected over 1,000 cookbooks and was known for her sour cream cookies and chocolate chips, according to MLiveLes enjoyed John Wayne memorabilia. Both partners enjoyed camping in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula lighthouse.

“Les got her wife angry when he was enlisted for the military during the Korean War without notifying Freda.

Leah Smith, one of their granddaughters narrated. “I know she was upset about that,”  “Seventy years together isn’t that easy… but at the end of those 70-years of being together, they still cared deeply for one another and loved each other so very much.

“I am so happy they passed on together,” Smith said, “I think it would have been torture for either of them to be here alone without the other partner.

Besides, the couple is survived by three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren in addition to Maes, Austin, and Smith.

Funeral service for the couple was held on Tuesday 17 December 2019 in Mason, Michigan.