Theresa Faiss Dies: Wife of America's Longest Married Couple Dies at 97 in Las Vegas

Theresa Watts Faiss, the wife of former state Senator Wilbur Faiss, died on Sunday, Oct. 28 in Las Vegas at the age of 97. Worldwide Marriage Encounter honored the Faisses back in January as the longest-married couple in America for 2012 - the couple was married for 79 years. Wilbur, who recently celebrated his 101st birthday, served in the Senate from 1976-1984 and is currently considered the oldest living former Nevada state legislator.

Theresa, the matriarch of the Faiss family, was born in Clinton County, Ill. on Sept. 10, 1915. She moved with her husband to North Las Vegas in 1944 - the duo opened the Truck Haven and the Truck Harbor near Nellis Air Force Base in the 1950s (both of which are now no longer in operation). While Wilbur spent most of his time working at the Nevada Test Site (now the Nevada National Security Site), Theresa operated the service station and a cafe with the help of their three sons Robert, Ron, and Don. Theresa was named Clark County's Pioneer Mother of the Year in 1996.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Worldwide Marriage Encounter only honors one couple with the longest-marriage award every year in January (three other couples at the time might have had longer marriages in 2012). President Barack Obama planned on honoring the Faiss' with a public acknowledgement during a campaign appearance in southern Nevada earlier this year, but the couple was unable to attend. Faiss family members were able to meet President Obama at a later date.

Linda Faiss, Theresa's daughter-in-law, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "She was an amazing woman who was adored by her three sons. Fortunately the family got together a couple of days ago for Dad's 101st birthday."

Wilbur Faiss once told the Review-Journal during an interview that the key to success in politics as well as in marriage is compromise - "Every day I ask her how she feels and, 'Is there anything I can do for you?' And say, 'Honey, I still love you.'?"

Family members insist the Faisses' proudest legacy is the Wilbur and Theresa Faiss Middle School - the couple would talk with students during annual visits to the facility.

Theresa Faiss is survived by her husband Wilbur and her three sons, as well as six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.