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Who was Theresa Nist's ex-husband? Gerry Turner grieves with 'The Golden Bachelor' star over lost spouses during one-on-one date

Theresa Nist, like Gerry Turner, married her high school sweetheart

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On the October 5 episode of ' The Golden Bachelor', Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist went on their first one-on-one date of the season.

Theresa told Gerry that she had lost her longtime spouse, her high school sweetheart, to an illness. So who was she married to?

Theresa is a 'The Golden Bachelor' participant looking for new love and a "best friend" following the death of her spouse.

"I don’t want to be alone anymore. I want to be in love again," the 70-year-old remarked in her video introduction.

William 'Bill' Nist and Theresa were married for 42 years. Theresa also lost her first great love, Gerry.

In 2014, Bill died. On the eighth anniversary of her father's death in November 2022, Theresa's daughter Jen wrote a moving remembrance of him.

Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner connect over lost spouses

Theresa received the first one-on-one date of the season. She claimed in a confessional that just before he passed away, her spouse expressed the wish that she would marry again.

Since Gerry worked in the food business, he brought Theresa to a classic diner. Theresa declared, "I like Gerry so much. I feel like we have so much in common."

Theresa disclosed to Gerry the sickness that claimed her longtime partner and high school love.

Theresa's story struck Gerry as being quite similar to mine. He expressed to Theresa his desire to no longer feel lonely.

Fans shared their emotional responses to the date on social media as Gerry and Theresa enjoyed a flash mob at the eatery.

On X, users wrote, "Theresa and Gerry have really similar stories i feel like they could bond and help each other this show is on another level."

Another user chimed in, "Having to listen to Gerry last week and now Theresa’s stories of losing their spouses."

One user further commented, "I’m so invested in Gerry and Theresa."

A fourth user quoted, "Before my husband Billy died he actually said to me I hope you do find someone and get married again. I know he would say just go for it Theresa”"

Fans argued, "not to be dramatic but if Gerry and Theresa don’t live happily ever after neither will I." Another user also wrote, "Theresa and Gerry's first date was date goals."

Who was 'The Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner married to?

Toni, his high school sweetheart, and Gerry, 72, who is from Indiana, were partners for 43 years. They first spoke while she was watching from the stands and he was playing basketball.

In college, they were married, and Jenny and Angie became their daughters. They put a lot of effort into saving money for their ideal lakeside retirement house.

Toni, his wife, and Gerry resided in Iowa for the majority of their marriage. The grandfather from Iowa aged 72, now resides on a lake in Indiana.

Before Toni, his wife of 43 years, died in 2017 due to an unexpected illness, they lived in the Quad Cities for a significant portion of their marriage.

Who did 'The Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner date before joining the ABC show?

According to a friend, Gerry was a ladies' man before he appeared on the dating program and allegedly dated several women before seeking love on television.

The US Sun said that Gerry dated before appearing on the program, but was unsuccessful in finding new love.

"He dated a couple of women," according to Gerry's close friend Heather Lanning, who works at The Shady Nook near his Indiana lake estate.

"They weren’t long-term, but they weren't short-term either. He was with a couple of women for a decent amount of time, but it just didn’t work out.”

When asked why the relationships ended, Heather said, "I think it goes back to whether you’re there for the right reason or not." Gerry "wasn't on the dating apps,"

Heather said, rather, he was "introduced by other people" or met the ladies while at The Shady Nook.

'The Golden Bachelor' airs on Thursdays on ABC at 8 pm ET.