Omaha couple in their 80s, married for 60 years, die hours apart of coronavirus - Omaha World-Herald

Fred and Judy Whitesel on their wedding day in 1959.

Fred and Judy Whitesel on their wedding day in 1959.

“Their love has made me reflect on what love is,” daughter-in-law Phylis Whitesel said.

“In our hearts and in our minds, we know they’re in a better place, and we’re at peace with that,” said Steven Whitesel, their son.

Six residents there have died, including Fred and Judy Whitesel, and 57 have tested positive for the coronavirus.

But the coronavirus can be unpredictable: by Friday morning, Judy Whitesel had taken a turn for the worse and was admitted to the hospital.

“It sounds like with this COVID, it just changes by the hour,” Phylis Whitesel said.

He died that evening.

Steven and Phylis Whitesel said they don’t blame the nursing home, where the couple received clean sheets, good food and manicures for Judy during their three-year stay.

“There’s so much about this virus that’s unknown,” Phylis Whitesel said.

A century ago, Fred Whitesel’s grandfather died during the Spanish flu pandemic.

Fred Whitesel was born in Waterloo in 1936, and Judy Paasch was born in Omaha in 1939.

Judy worked at the Richman Gordman department store in the 1970s and ‘80s and then stayed home to raise Steven and his sister, Vicki, who died in 1996.

Even as the coronavirus pandemic has rocked so many lives — including theirs — friends, family and the staff at the hospital and nursing home have been so kind, Steven and Phylis Whitesel said.

The onetime host of an Omaha children’s TV program died at home Jan.

Lacey died Jan.

Lambrecht died Jan.

He died Jan.

Pisasale, a 1946 Central High School graduate who wrestled and played tennis at Omaha University, died Jan.

Millard Roy Seldin, a native of Council Bluffs, died on Jan.

Frank Bemis, who served as Douglas County assessor for 24 years before retiring to work in the real estate and insurance businesses, died Feb.

A roll call of notable people who have died in 2020:.

The onetime host of an Omaha children’s TV program died at home Jan.

Lacey died Jan.

Lambrecht died Jan.

He died Jan.

Pisasale, a 1946 Central High School graduate who wrestled and played tennis at Omaha University, died Jan.

Years later, while in college, Seldin used those skills and work ethic to help his father, Ben Seldin, form the homebuilding company Seldin and Seldin.

Millard Roy Seldin, a native of Council Bluffs, died on Jan.

Frank Bemis, who served as Douglas County assessor for 24 years before retiring to work in the real estate and insurance businesses, died Feb.

Sign up today and receive unlimited digital access, free email delivery of the e-edition and more.

Your sports-only digital subscription does not include access to this section

Your sports-only digital subscription does not include access to this section

Your sports-only digital subscription does not include access to this section

Your current subscription does not provide access to this content

Your sports-only digital subscription does not include access to this section

Your sports-only digital subscription does not include access to this section

Your sports-only digital subscription does not include access to this section

Your current subscription does not provide access to this content