The Obituary That Sparked a National C
In June 2018, The Redwood Falls Gazette published an obituary for Kathleen Dehmlow that started like any ordinary tribute
— but quickly turned into something unexpected. Written by her children, Gina and Jay, the obituary departed from the usual
tone of remembrance to reveal long-held family tensions, including personal grievances and painful history. Its blunt
honesty spread rapidly across social media, igniting national discussion about how we tell the stories of those who’ve passed.
After intense backlash, the newspaper removed the obituary from its website, but it was too late — screenshots had already gone viral.
A relative, Dwight Dehmlow, later clarified that while some details were factual, the obituary failed to capture the
full picture of Kathleen’s life, including her struggles, regrets, and attempts at reconciliation.
The Gazette defended its decision to publish the piece, noting that it met submission guidelines, though its partner
company later pledged to review obituary policies. Media analysts said the incident revealed how modern obituaries
are evolving — no longer limited to polite recaps, but sometimes used to confront unresolved emotions.
Kathleen Dehmlow’s story ultimately became a powerful reflection on grief, forgiveness, and the complex legacies families leave behind.
