Family’s Candid Obituary for Mother Sparks Controversy
When a loved one passes, an obituary is usually a heartfelt tribute to their life, celebrating their achievements and the good memories they leave behind. However, in some rare cases, obituaries take an entirely different approach—one that might not be as glowing as most readers expect. Such was the case with the obituary for **Kathleen Dehmlow**, which has gained attention due to its unusually frank and somewhat shocking content.
Kathleen’s two adult children, in a move that stunned their local community, wrote an obituary that initially seemed like any other. But as the reader progressed, it quickly became clear that the family dynamic was far from perfect. The obituary, published in **The Redwood Falls Gazette**, was designed to share their grief and reflection on her life, but the final sentence turned out to be quite unexpected—and even oddly humorous.
While obituaries typically emphasize the positive traits of the deceased, this one made it clear that the Dehmlow family had endured significant tension over the years. The final lines of the obituary were unapologetically blunt, shedding light on deep-seated family issues. The shocking ending left readers stunned and led to a public outcry. As a result, the newspaper received numerous complaints, and the obituary was eventually removed from publication.
A **family member**, identified as **Dwight**, later spoke to the press, offering a contrasting perspective. He explained that Kathleen had made a mistake decades ago, but had expressed sincere regret over it, pointing out that everyone makes errors in their lives. Despite this, the family member who authored the obituary stood by the decision, stating that it was meant to leave a strong emotional impact and was designed to cause discomfort for certain individuals.
At first, many questioned the authenticity of the obituary, wondering whether it had truly been printed. The **CEO of The Redwood Falls Gazette** addressed these concerns, confirming that the obituary was, indeed, published. He also reassured readers that the newspaper’s editorial team upholds high content standards and took the public’s complaints seriously, conducting a thorough review of the situation.
The story sparked widespread curiosity, and some people even speculated that the obituary had left out many details that might have painted a fuller picture of Kathleen’s life. In the aftermath of the controversy, the obituary quickly gained traction online, with people sharing and discussing its contents, further fuelling the debate about the boundaries of grief and the role of obituaries in family dynamics.
Though the obituary was ultimately pulled from the publication, it’s clear that its contents—whether shocking or cathartic—have left a lasting impression. The incident serves as a reminder that while obituaries are often designed to memorialize the deceased in a loving way, they can also be a vehicle for family members to express more complex emotions, even if those emotions are painful.
