In June 2018, The Redwood Falls Gazette published an obituary for Kathleen Dehmlow that began in the usual way but soon took an unexpected turn. Written by her children, Gina and Jay, it went beyond the standard life summary and revealed personal family struggles. The honesty of the message caught readers’ attention and quickly spread across social media and national news outlets, sparking conversations everywhere.
The obituary was later removed from the newspaper’s website after concerns were raised, though by then, the story had already reached a wide audience. A family member, Dwight Dehmlow, later explained that while the message contained elements of truth, Kathleen had faced challenges in her past and had expressed remorse and reflection in later years. He emphasized that the published version did not capture the full picture of her life or her personal growth.
Following the controversy, the newspaper clarified that the obituary met its submission rules and did not violate any policies. However, its publishing partner decided to review its approach to ensure future notices were handled with greater sensitivity. Media observers noted that this situation highlighted how modern obituaries have evolved from simple announcements into deeply personal expressions of emotion, truth, and perspective.
In the end, Kathleen Dehmlow’s story became more than a headline — it became a reflection on family, forgiveness, and how people choose to remember those who have passed. It reminded readers that every life is complex, filled with both mistakes and redemption, and that compassion often reveals a deeper truth than judgment ever could.