Michael Tate pleaded not guilty to murdering 63-year-old Margaret Tate at a house in Scunthorpe on 2 November 2014.
At Hull Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Richardson ordered Mr Tate stand trial on 5 May.
Mr Tate, of Frodingham Road, Scunthorpe, was remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance.
A 72-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman at a house.