An obituary for Kathleen Dehmlow, published by The Redwood Falls Gazette, sparked public outrage when it turned into a platform for her children to air deep family grievances. The obituary, which initially seemed like a typical tribute, ended with a shocking statement about Kathleen’s past mistakes. Despite being removed from the website after widespread backlash, it had already gone viral.
A family member, Dwight, confirmed the obituary’s accuracy but criticized its public airing of personal issues, which he argued caused unnecessary harm. The newspaper defended its decision, citing no legal restrictions on the content, and pledged to review its editorial standards in response to the controversy. This incident underscores how obituaries, once seen as solemn tributes, can sometimes reveal unresolved family conflicts and have far-reaching consequences.