BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - He was 'The Bachelor' before the TV show existed, a guy who knew he wanted to get married and have true love, but had no one to exchange vows with.
Dave Weinlick publicly announced he was looking for a bride, then had friends and family interview the women who threw their hat in the ring at Mall of America. It was a brash stunt for the times, and no one thought it would last when he selected a fiery redhead named Elizabeth Runze to be his wife.
Only it did. Weinlick died Sunday after 20-years of marriage. He was 48 years old.
Last August Dave and Beth renewed their vows at MOA, showing detractors that love was still strong. But there was another reason: They were living that part of the vows where a couple promises to stay together "in sickness and in health." Dave was sick, his body ravaged by stage 4 colon cancer.
"It's... it's gut-wrenching," Elizabeth told KARE 11. "I can't imagine a future without the person you thought was going to be there."
On Tuesday came word that Dave Weinlick's cancer battle is over. He leaves his wife and four children after living a real-life Cinderella story.
"We have a fantastic love story, and I know a lot of people can never say that," Elizabeth said last August. "and for that, I am grateful."