Obituaries are public, often shared in newspapers and online, which means many
people may come across them. Kathleen Dehmlow’s obituary, written by her two
adult children, initially seemed typical but revealed family tensions. The Redwood
Falls Gazette published it, but after backlash, it was removed. A family member
confirmed its contents, while another, Dwight, explained that the mother had
repented for past mistakes. The obituary’s final sentence was shocking and led to
public doubt over its authenticity. The CEO of the newspaper clarified that no
law prohibited its publication, and complaints were reviewed. Some families
choose to be candid in obituaries, unlike the usual warm tributes
