Dianna Bedwell stranded in California desert prepared to die with husband

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Dianna Bedwell was found severely dehydrated May 24 on a dirt road near a Boy Scout camp northeast of San Diego and hospitalized
She and her husband Cecil 'Paul' Knutson were heading from a casino to their son's home for a Mother's Day dinner when he took a wrong turn
When he tried to turn around, the car got stuck on a rock
The couple survived for two weeks on rainwater, a butter cream pie and eight pounds of oranges
Knutson died of a heart attack caused by the narrowing of blood vessels

Published: 16:05 EST, 11 July 2015 | Updated: 05:14 EST, 12 July 2015

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A woman stranded in her car for two weeks in the Southern California desert in May said she forgave her husband for making a wrong turn and was prepared to die with him.

'I told him, "Honey, we all make mistakes. We all make wrong choices." That's all that was,' Dianna Bedwell said Friday after the memorial service for Cecil 'Paul' Knutson, who died a week into the ordeal. 'We had 29 wonderful years together. If we make it out, fine. If we don't make it out, fine.'

After Knutson, 79, died peacefully, 'he sent angels to rescue her', Bedwell, 68, said in her first public remarks about the tragedy, The Press Enterprise reported Saturday.

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Family: Retired Marine Sgt. Robert Acosta escorts his mother Dianna Bedwell, left, and sister Debbie Apple, as they arrive at Riverside National Cemetery for a service for Cecil 'Paul' Knutson

Mourning: Dianna Bedwell wipes away tears during funeral services for her husband. Cecil, along with Dianna, got lost on the way from a San Diego County casino to a relative's home in the Riverside County desert. Cecil passed away in the two-week ordeal and his wife survived

Honored: A photograph of Cecil 'Paul' Knutson is displayed along with his ashes during funeral services at Ingold Funeral Chapel

Rescue: Off-roaders found her severely dehydrated May 24 on a dirt road near a Boy Scout camp some 65 northeast of San Diego. She was airlifted to a hospital

Travel: The couple had been at the Valley View Casino and were heading to a son's home near Palm Springs, California, for a Mother's Day dinner when Knutson took a wrong turn

Funeral held for man who died after being stranded with wife

Off-roaders found her severely dehydrated May 24 on a dirt road near a Boy Scout camp some 65 northeast of San Diego. She was airlifted to a hospital.

The Fullerton couple, both retired school bus drivers, were heading from a casino to a son's home near Palm Springs, California, for a Mother's Day dinner when Knutson took a wrong turn. When he tried to turn around, the car got stuck on a rock.

When they didn't arrive, their son, Robert Acosta, called for help. Searches on land and from the air failed to spot the white Hyundai Sonata because it was under trees in such a remote place.

The two, both diabetics, survived on rainwater, a butter cream pie and eight pounds of oranges.

Supplies: The two, both diabetics, survived on rainwater, a butter cream pie and 8 pounds of oranges

Casino: They were last seen at the Valley View Casino, seen here

Embrace: Sisters Erika Knutson, left, and Kristen Smith-Knutson, console each as Kristen's daughter, Emma Knutson, 9, gets caught in the middle, during funeral services for their father Cecil 'Paul' Knutson

Knutson used a cane and walker to get around outside the car, but eventually neither of them could walk.

Knutson, a Marine land mine demolition expert in the Korean War, was sweet and kind in his final days and seemed to know when he was about to die.

'He just fell asleep,' Bedwell said. 'I thank God for that. There was no pain, no anger.'

He was found outside the driver's door. An autopsy found he died of a heart attack caused by narrowing of blood vessels.

Knutson was honored with a 21-gun salute and taps at Riverside National Cemetery, where an urn with his remains was buried.

Husband found dead and wife alive after being lost for two weeks

Trouble: Searches on land and from the air failed to spot the white Hyundai Sonata because it was under trees in such a remote place

Tribute: Marines salute the hearse carrying Knutson's ashes as they arrive at Riverside National Cemetery

Touch: Dianna Bedwell gives a hug and kiss to her friend, Tony Hernandez, of Anaheim, at the end of funeral services. To the right is Chapel Manager Blake Moses