The obituary for Kathleen Dehmlow, published by The Redwood Falls Gazette, initially appeared as a standard tribute but quickly took a shocking turn. Her two adult children used the space to publicly air family grievances, revealing longstanding tensions and ending the obituary with a final line that stunned readers. After widespread backlash, the newspaper removed the obituary, but not before it had gone viral.
A relative, Dwight, defended Kathleen, noting she had shown remorse for a “significant mistake” from decades earlier. He condemned the author’s choice to reveal family issues in such a public forum, warning of the pain it would cause. Although the newspaper faced criticism for publishing the obituary, it defended its decision, stating there was “no legal prohibition” against its content but promising to review its standards.
This incident shows how obituaries, typically used as respectful tributes, can sometimes expose private family conflicts, creating far-reaching emotional and social consequences.
