Iowa hospital puts on wedding so dying man can see daughter get married

AMES, IA -- A hospital staff in Iowa came together to make sure a dying man was able to see his daughter get married, reports television station KCCI.

John Sheldahl of Iowa has stage four lung cancer. He's been told he doesn't have much time left, but he wanted the time he does have to include being there for his daughter's wedding.

So the staff at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, went to work. They got the cake and flowers and put up decorations. They got the hospital ready for the big day.

"We planned a wedding in three days," said nurse Aubrey Reser.

Working up all the strength he could, Sheldahl walked his daughter down the aisle, giving her away to her husband-to-be.

"God orchestrated it because we couldn't plan things like this and dad was strong enough to walk you today," said groom Dennis Atkinson. "That's a good day."

"I'm thankful to god that my dad can be here with me and we can celebrate together," said Sheldahl's daughter, Sheila.

It was a heartfelt ceremony made even sweeter by a father's love.

"It was real special," said Sheldahl.