Husband and wife of 35 years die after tree falls on their car during sudden storm

Patti and Steve Haller were remembered as “true soulmates” by loved ones

NEED TO KNOW

•  Patti and Steve Haller died after a tree fell on the front of their car as they were driving in Tallahassee, Fla.
• The couple of 35 years were described as “true soulmates” who cherished their family — especially granddaughter, Amelia
• A memorial fund has raised over $24,000

A husband and wife — remembered by loved ones as “true soulmates” — died after a tree fell on their car during a sudden storm in Florida.

Patti Haller, 63, and Steve Haller, 65, were driving in a residential area of Tallahassee around 5:17 p.m. local time on July 10 when a large tree landed across the front of their car, a spokesperson for the Tallahassee Police Department tells PEOPLE.

Although life-saving measures were attempted, they were pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident occurred minutes after the National Weather Service issued a “severe thunderstorm warning,” noting that winds could reach speeds of 60 mph.

Police told WCTV that the incident was under investigation.

The victims’ family asked for privacy, but shared a touching tribute to the beloved couple in their obituary.

Patti and Steve — who met in 1989 and married on Nov. 10, 1990 in Miami — were “defined by a profound devotion to one another and their family,” loved ones said.

“They were rarely seen apart and loved spending their time trying new beers at local breweries, bowling, traveling, feasting on seafood and above all, spending time with their granddaughter, Amelia or as they called her ‘Millie Goose,’ “ the obituary read.

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“Millie meant absolutely everything to them,” the tribute continued. “They took immense joy in completely spoiling her at every opportunity, and proudly sported their ‘Promoted to Grandma’ and ‘Promoted to Grandpa’ shirts.”

Steve grew up in Long Island, N.Y., and worked as an air traffic controller. He had a passion for cooking and rooting for the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Patti was a native Floridian, who worked at Assurant and had a passion for hobbies, such as thrifting and clogging.

The Hallers are survived by their children, Kristen Silverman, Ryan Silverman and Kevin Haller, and their granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked for contributions to a memorial fund, which will go directly to the family to assist with the sudden expenses and financial strains following this tragedy. More than $24,000 has been raised as of Monday, July 20.

Read the original article on People