The husband and wife, married for more than half a century, were later found dead, clinging to a tree and to each other.

"This couple were wonderful people who donated their time to serve their community," said Wright County Clerk Loni Pedersen

Beaver Creek, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. They tried swimming to dry ground, but they drowned, troopers said. They were pronounced dead just before 7 a.m. The couple, from Manes, has not been publicly identified as of Nov.