Touching fate
Inseparable: couple died within an hour of each other
This love story is currently moving people to tears. A married couple spent their entire lives together - and gave it up together. There was only an hour between the natural times of their deaths, Maria and Christian Runggaldier left this life holding hands. The family now shares touching insights.
Married for 64 years, one heart and one soul. Until the end, the couple made their daily coffee rounds in the village of Ortisei - supporting each other, greeting each other in a friendly manner.
The story was brought to light by the South Tyrolean online portal Stol.it, and since then the fate has moved internet users to tears. Christian Runggaldier was born in 1935, took over his father's woodcarving business and was a passionate beekeeper and musician in the Val Gardena valley in South Tyrol.
5 children, 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren
Maria was born just one year later - in 1936 - as the fourth of five children, also in Val Gardena/Gröden. Christian and Maria first crossed paths in an inn where the young woman was working. They quickly fell in love and married in 1960. They had five children, 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. They kept in close contact with all of them. The great passion of both of them has always been "Watten", a South Tyrolean card game.
"It would be nice to go away together"
Their lives were characterized by an unwavering "Together, always together", writes Stol author Elisa Steiner. They were always seen side by side. Even their health seemed to be in sync: If one of them had a problem, such as with their heart, the second didn't take long to feel the same.
The two often talked about wanting to embark on their last journey together: "It would be nice to go away together."
Condition worsened in mid-December
Until the beginning of December last year, Maria and Christian were in excellent health, with only age-related complaints. But in mid-December, their condition deteriorated and the family considered organizing care beds and personal support for the couple.
A doctor was called, the doctor's diagnosis was clear: a care bed would no longer be worthwhile, he didn't think the couple would survive the night.
Peacefully asleep
In the early hours of December 18, 2024, Christian Runggaldier fell asleep peacefully in the presence of his children at the age of 89. Just an hour later, his wife Maria followed him at the age of 88. A photo taken by the family shortly after midnight shows this deep bond once again. Holding hands, the couple departed this life.
This article has been automatically translated,
read the original article here.
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