When The Redwood Falls Gazette published an obituary for Kathleen Dehmlow in June 2018, it began as a typical remembrance but quickly took an unusual turn. Instead of focusing solely on her life story, the obituary revealed long-standing family tensions. Kathleen’s two children, Gina and Jay, openly shared their personal perspective, which drew widespread attention and quickly went viral.
The obituary was later removed from the newspaper’s website after readers expressed concern. By then, however, it had already spread across social media and news outlets. A family member, Dwight Dehmlow, confirmed the account but explained that Kathleen had faced challenges decades earlier and had expressed regret. He suggested that the obituary’s tone did not fully reflect the broader picture of her life.
Despite the controversy, the newspaper maintained that there were no legal restrictions on publishing the obituary as submitted, though its syndication partner later announced plans to review editorial policies for future submissions. Media experts noted that while obituaries have traditionally been respectful tributes, this case demonstrated how they can sometimes become outlets for unresolved family issues.
The episode highlighted a changing landscape in how families use obituary pages. Once reserved for concise life summaries, these public notices are increasingly being used to share more candid accounts. The Kathleen Dehmlow obituary raised important questions about memory, forgiveness, and the balance between private family matters and the public record.