GASTONIA – The ‘Real’ Santa Claus faces a difficult Christmas this year.
Bob Propst has spent 27 years as the Gastonia Dillard’s Santa.
He lives as Santa Claus during the year bringing cheer to all.
He dresses in red, starts every phone call with a Santa laugh and lives inside a one room house that exudes Christmas.
But this holiday season his wife, Mrs. Claus, isn't joining him.
After developing signs of dementia earlier this year Marilyn Propst died last week.
Before her death, Propst spoke about the impact she had on the children and him.
“I couldn't be any sadder, that's all I can tell you. My heart is broken. If I lost her I don't know what I would do. She's everything to me,” Bob Propst said.
A visitation for Ms. Claus is Thursday at noon at Love Memorial Baptist Church in Gastonia. The funeral is at 2 p.m.