Idaho couple married 63 years dies minutes apart

Idaho couple married 63 years dies minutes apart

(Shutterstock)


1 photo
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — Bob Huntley, 83, stood up Edna Huntley, 81, for their first date and decided to go hunting instead. Edna forgave him and shortly after, they were married — for 63 years.

It was during deer hunting season, and "hunting took priority over his first date," their son, Kenneth Huntley, said.

Earlier this year, Edna was diagnosed with cancer, already in its later stages. Bob had been suffering from dementia for some time, Kenneth said.

On the evening of March 20, Edna died in her sleep, and in less than an hour, Bob died too.

A few days back, Kenneth said, Edna had told her friend, "'When one of us dies, they're going to wrap the hand of the other and take them along.'"

"And that happened," Kenneth said. "We're very grateful it happened this way."

Bob would not have wanted to live without Edna, Kenneth added.

Bob worked as a millwright in Oregon and Washington. Edna was a homemaker. About two years ago, they moved to Nampa to live closer to one of their daughters.

Kenneth and his brother, Ron, were able to spend last Thanksgiving and Christmas with their parents.

"Mom made so many Christmas candies," Kenneth said. "At the time we thought she should rest, but in retrospect, I think it's good she got to make those Christmas candies, since it was her last Christmas."

The success of their marriage was an inspiration to everyone who knew them, Ammon Tunnell, their grandson said.

"We saw what love really is," Tunnell said.

Bob and Edna are survived by their five children — three daughters, two sons, 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Photos

Most recent Idaho stories

Related topics

IdahoU.S.
Areena Arora-Tribune

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast