Joe And Helen Auer: Cincinnati Couple Married 73 Years Die 28 Hours Apart

In most cases, when you hear of love stories, you immediately think of the concept of “happily ever after.” One couple from Cincinnati, Ohio takes that concept to an unprecedented level!

Joe and Helen Auer were fortunate to stay together for 73 years, and nothing could separate them — not even death. On October 15, Helen passed away at 94 and her husband, Joe, refused to go on without her. According to the NewsNet-5, when he discovered his wife was gone, he reportedly kissed her goodbye and said, “Helen, call me home.”

His children were optimistic that he’d survive one night without her, but they definitely weren’t sure he’d make it two nights alone. They were right; just 28 hours later, his wish to be called home was granted. On October 16 Joe passed at the age of 100.

“I think sleeping only one day, from Mom, that was enough. He couldn’t take it any longer,” Jerry said of his father’s death. He said I’m not going to sleep alone again, so the Lord called him home.”

The couple had a joint funeral on Wednesday, October 22. Their funeral mass took place in front of the same alter where they took vows back in 1941. They met at church and forged a relationship that led to a wonderful marriage and 10 children! Although they reportedly struggled during the times of The Great Depression. they made a gratuitous effort to withstand the most difficult times.

Even when Joe left to fight in World War II, nothing could tear their marriage apart – not even distance. Helen reportedly kept her husband abreast with the happening in their lives with letters. On one occasion, she sent Joe a picture of herself and their first three children. His children revealed he kept the picture in his wallet until the day he died, reports WPTV.

Their daughter, Mary Jo Reiners, who settled into early retirement to care for them, recently spoke with Cincinnati Enquirer about her beloved parents. Their son, Jerry Auer, also spoke candidly about their marriage and legacy.

“Mom and Dad lived a blessed life,” Reiner recalled. “My mother loved her family and her friends. She loved being busy with her family. Dad thought of his children as a gift from God, that was a responsibility for him. He taught us to be servants to God and to be caretakers of his Earth. He was recycling on his last day.”

“They were simple, humble people. They wanted nothing and got everything in return. If somebody were thinking of getting married, they could do a lot worse than to look at my parents,” their son Jerry said.