The DeKlyens’ daughter, named Life, died Wednesday — 11 days after her mother. Nick opened his wife’s grave Friday so he could bury his daughter near her mother’s head.

He said he does not understand why God took his wife and daughter from him. He believed his wife would be cured. After she died, he believed his daughter would live. But Nick said his faith has not been shaken.

“I know — absolutely — that they are in heaven together,” said Nick, 39, of Wyoming, Mich., who added that his wife never considered giving up the baby to undergo chemotherapy because of her antiabortion views.