Newspapers commonly publish obituaries both in print and online, making them accessible to a wide audience. This often means that dozens, if not hundreds, of people can read an obituary. In the case described below, a family’s tribute stirred unexpected attention. Kathleen Dehmlow’s two adult children penned an obituary for their late mother, and it was published for the entire community to see.

At first glance, it reads like a typical obituary, but a deeper look reveals underlying family tensions. The final line of the obituary is both surprising and, in a peculiar way, darkly humorous. The Redwood Falls Gazette, a local newspaper, originally printed the piece, but the backlash was so intense that the obituary was eventually taken down. A family member later verified the details shared in it, which by then had become widely known. Had the obituary included even more details not present in the initial publication, it could have attracted even greater attention.

One family member, Dwight, gave his perspective in an interview. He acknowledged that Kathleen had made a serious mistake over sixty years ago but emphasized that she had since shown remorse. According to him, everyone makes errors, and it was unfortunate that the obituary’s writer decided to part ways with such bitterness, likely causing pain to many others involved. Some readers even questioned whether the newspaper should have published the piece in the first place.

In response, the CEO and founder of the newspaper addressed the issue, stating that there were no legal barriers preventing the publication of the obituary, no matter its content. He assured the public that the newspaper’s partners uphold strict content standards and had conducted a thorough review of the controversial piece. At this point, you might be wondering what exactly the obituary said, and that curiosity is completely understandable. Fortunately, we have it available for you to review.

When a loved one passes, family members often take on the responsibility of writing an obituary. Typically, these pieces serve as heartfelt tributes, filled with warmth and fond memories. However, not all families aim to write a glowing tribute. In fact, some may opt for a brutally honest account of the deceased’s life.