Elderly couple, married for 60 years, die from COVID-19 less than an hour apart

Bill and Pat Olwig. Image: Hutchens Funeral Homes

A couple from the United States, meant to celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary this month, became the latest casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

William “Bill” Olwig (85 years old) and his wife Patricia “Pat” (82 years old) died on May 1 from COVID-19 complications, as per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last Monday, May 11. The two passed away less than an hour apart.

The couple was married in May 1959 and raised six sons and one daughter. They also have 20 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

According to the report, last month the couple developed a cough. The Olwigs later on began experiencing fever and they started to lose their energy. When Bill’s condition became severe on April 26, he was taken to the hospital. A few hours later, Pat was also picked up by an ambulance.

“One of my brothers followed the ambulance and watched Mom get out,” their daughter Rose was quoted as saying. “She just calmly waved and said, ‘Hey, I’m just going to get tested.’”

The next day, April 27, Bill and Pat were both in the intensive care unit. They were also both put on ventilators to help them breathe. That day, they were both confirmed to be positive for the new coronavirus.

While in the hospital, the couple was blessed by a Catholic priest, as per report. Due to the health risk, the family was only able to see their parents through a live stream on Zoom. Under the doctor’s advice, the family decided to take off the couple’s life support on May 1.

Bill was a business owner of a local mechanical company while Pat devoted most of her time to volunteer work. In addition to raising seven children, Pat worked as a preschool teacher. She was a religion instructor for special students as well.

“They were wonderful role models, dear friends to so many and unconditionally loved their entire family,” their joint obituaries in Hutchens Funeral Homes stated. “They were most proud of the family they created and were the most happy when all were together.” Cha Lino/JB

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