Elderly Canadian Couple Who Were Placed in Different Nursing Homes Are Back Under the Same Roof

staff@people.com (Blake Bakkila)
Updated

Wolfram and Anita Gottschalk have finally been reunited.

The elderly Canadian couple made headlines last month when they heartbrokenly parted after being assigned to live in different nursing homes. In the now-viral photo, the Gottschalks tearfully say goodbye – a painful routine they've grown accustomed to for the past eight months. Their granddaughter captured the photo, and asked the Facebook community to see her family's pain.

"They can't be apart. It's devastating," the couple's son, Bill Gottschalk, told PEOPLE. "They're so in love that they've got to be together all the time."

Elderly Canadian Couple Who Were Placed in Different Nursing Homes Are Back Under the Same Roof| Couples
Elderly Canadian Couple Who Were Placed in Different Nursing Homes Are Back Under the Same Roof| Couples







Anita, 81, and Wolfram, 83, have been married for 62 years and could only see each other once every day – until now.

Ashley Bartyik, 29, took to her Facebook page again to share the happy update about her grandparents on Friday. Wolfram was moved to the same facility as Anita and the two shared a joyous reunion.

"Thursday our family joyfully witnessed the reunification of Wolfram and Anita Gottschalk," Bartyik wrote. "The reunion saw tears of joy for all involved. They can now be under the same roof for their remaining years, and we couldn't be more grateful."



In the video posted to Facebook and YouTube, Anita welcomes Wolfram with kisses.

• Need a little inspiration? Click here to subscribe to the Daily Smile Newsletter for uplifting, feel-good stories that brighten up your inbox.



The family was particularly eager to reunite the couple because Wolfram suffers from dementia and was diagnosed with lymphoma the same week Bartyik posted the first message.

Bartyik ended her update with, "SUCCESS!" but said more attention needs to be given to other separated couples.

"We thank you for your continued prayers and messages we have received," she wrote. "Although they are now reunited, the story isn't over for other BC couples waiting to be together, and our family will continue to advocate for those families as well."