The Obituary That Sparked a National Debate
When The Redwood Falls Gazette published Kathleen Dehmlow’s obituary in June 2018, it began like any other but soon
revealed deep family tensions. Written by her children, Gina and Jay, it openly reflected their perspective, sparking viral attention and debate.
The obituary was later removed from the newspaper’s website after readers raised concerns, though by then it had
spread widely across social media and news outlets. A relative, Dwight Dehmlow, confirmed the account but added that Kathleen
had faced struggles decades earlier and expressed regret. He suggested the obituary’s tone did not capture the full picture of her life.
The newspaper defended publishing the piece, noting no legal issues with the submission, though its syndication partner
said it would review editorial policies for future obituaries. Media experts observed that while obituaries
have traditionally been respectful tributes, this case showed how they can also become outlets for unresolved conflicts.
The episode underscored a shift in how families use obituary pages. Once meant for concise life summaries,
they are increasingly places for candid reflections. Kathleen Dehmlow’s obituary raised broader.
