Kathleen Dehmlow's Obituary: A Family's Public Message And Its Impact

Genevieve Kling 13 Jul 2025

The passing of a person usually brings about a time for quiet remembrance, often marked by a published notice that shares details of their life and the people who will miss them. Yet, sometimes, a public announcement can take a very different path, becoming a widely discussed piece of writing. Such was the situation, you know, with the notice for Kathleen Dehmlow, which appeared in a local paper, sparking a lot of talk and curiosity. This particular death notice, very unlike most, revealed a deeply personal, rather difficult family story for everyone to see.

This kind of public display, where personal family matters become open information, can truly show how complex human connections are. It gives us a look, in a way, into the lasting effects of past choices and the deep feelings that can stay with people for many years. The case of Kathleen Dehmlow, as it came out in her death announcement, offers a unique example of how private pain can, you know, become a very public statement.

We'll go over the information that came to light about Kathleen Dehmlow, based on the message her children put out. This story, which gained a lot of attention, helps us think about what a death notice can truly be. It also, in some respects, brings up thoughts about family bonds and the sometimes harsh truth of human feelings. This account, as it appeared, certainly gave people something to consider.

A Look at Kathleen Dehmlow's Life
The Obituary That Made Waves
- A Cutting Message
- The Publication Process
The Reasons Behind the Words
- Accusations of Abandonment
- A Marriage and Its Fallout
Public Reaction and Lasting Impressions
Frequently Asked Questions About Kathleen Dehmlow
Final Thoughts on a Public Story

A Look at Kathleen Dehmlow's Life

Kathleen Dehmlow, whose family name was Schunk, entered the world on March 19, 1938. Her parents were Joseph and Gertrude Schunk. They lived in Wabasso, which is a tiny city. So, that's where her life began, in this small community in Minnesota. She was born in the winter months of that year, you know, in a quiet setting.

When she reached 19 years of age, Kathleen joined in marriage with Dennis Dehmlow. This event took place in 1957. The ceremony happened at St. Anne's, a Catholic church located right in the center of Wabasso. They had two children together, a son named Jay Dehmalo and a daughter named Gina. This marked a new chapter for her, a rather significant one.

Kathleen Dehmlow passed away on May 31 in Springfield. She was 80 years old at the time of her passing. Her death, which occurred in 2018, brought about the creation of the death notice that would later gain much attention. It was, in a way, a quiet end to a life that would soon become a topic of wide discussion.

Personal Details and Biography of Kathleen Dehmlow

Full Name	Kathleen Dehmlow (nee Schunk)
Born	March 19, 1938
Parents	Joseph and Gertrude Schunk
Birthplace	Wabasso, Minnesota
First Marriage	Dennis Dehmlow (1957 at St. Anne's in Wabasso)
Children	Jay Dehmalo, Gina
Died	May 31, 2018
Age at Death	80
Place of Death	Springfield, Minnesota

The Obituary That Made Waves

The death notice for Kathleen Dehmlow started out in a way that seemed quite ordinary. It mentioned her birth in 1938 and her marriage in 1957 to Dennis Dehmlow. It also noted the births of her children, Gina and Jay. So, this beginning gave no hint of what was to come, you know, a typical start to such a message.

However, the message quickly changed its tone. It became a harsh piece of writing, truly. The children, Jay Dehmalo and his sister Gina, made it very clear that Kathleen Dehmlow would not be missed after her passing. This statement, which appeared in the Redwood Falls Gazette, really stood out. It was a rather direct way to share their feelings.

The obituary, as it was published, accused the woman of abandoning her children. It also claimed she would now face judgment. This cutting message, submitted by her two children, left no room for doubt about their feelings. It was a public expression of deep hurt, something that, you know, rarely gets put into print in this manner.

A Cutting Message

The death notice for Kathleen Dehmlow included a very pointed message. It said she "will not be missed" by her two children. They wrote that they "understand that this world is a better place without her." This part, in particular, grabbed a lot of attention. It was, in a way, a final, very strong statement from them.

The message also made a serious claim. It accused Kathleen Dehmlow of getting pregnant by her husband's brother. This detail, added to the abandonment claim, gave the obituary a very personal and, you know, quite shocking aspect. It went beyond simply stating facts of life and death, entering into private family matters.

The son who wrote this harsh death notice later spoke out. He explained why he and his sister decided to reveal why they felt "this world is a much better place without" Kathleen. This choice to share such raw feelings publicly made the story even more compelling. It showed, in some respects, the depth of their pain and their desire to make it known.

The Publication Process

Kathleen Dehmlow's death notice was eventually printed in the Redwood Falls Gazette. Interestingly, it was initially turned down by another local newspaper. This rejection suggests that the content was seen as quite unusual, perhaps even too strong for a typical death announcement. So, its journey to publication was not, you know, entirely smooth.

A few days after her passing on May 31, 2018, the Redwood Falls Gazette put out the death notice. The fact that one paper said no while another said yes, tells a bit about the situation. It shows, in a way, the different views on what is suitable for public print. This difference in approach, you know, highlights the unique nature of the message itself.

The notice, once published, quickly spread beyond the local area. It became a topic of discussion online and in wider news circles. This wide reach was largely due to its unusual, very direct wording. It just goes to show, doesn't it, how a local story can, you know, capture the attention of many people far away.

The Reasons Behind the Words

The cutting words in Kathleen Dehmlow's death notice came from a place of deep hurt. The message, as submitted by her children, made it clear they felt abandoned. This feeling, it seems, had stayed with them for a very long time. It was, you know, a core reason for the strong language used.

The son who helped write the death notice later explained their reasons. He wanted people to understand why he and his sister felt so strongly. This desire to explain their side, to make known their feelings, was a powerful force behind the public message. It was, in a way, a final attempt to be heard, to share their truth.

The children's choice to publish such a personal and harsh account suggests a long history of unresolved issues. It paints a picture of a family relationship that was, for them, quite broken. This public statement, in some respects, was a way to process years of pain and, you know, to make a definitive statement about their mother's life from their point of view.

Accusations of Abandonment

The death notice for Kathleen Dehmlow openly accused her of abandoning her children. This happened, according to the notice, in 1962. At that time, her children, Jay and Gina, would have been quite young. This act of leaving, as stated in the notice, appears to be a central point of their deep-seated resentment. So, it was a very specific accusation, you know, tied to a particular time.

The message stated that Kathleen Dehmlow left her children behind. This act of leaving, they claimed, meant she would now face judgment. This idea of judgment, linked to her past actions, gave the death notice a moral weight. It was, in a way, a declaration of what they believed she deserved. This focus on consequences, you know, made the message even more powerful.

The children's feelings about this abandonment clearly lasted for many decades. The fact that they chose to include this in her public death notice, years after the event, shows the lasting impact. It highlights how deeply such experiences can affect people throughout their lives. It's almost as if, you know, they carried this hurt for a very long time.

A Marriage and Its Fallout

Kathleen Dehmlow married Dennis Dehmlow in 1957. They had two children together. This was the start of her family life. However, the death notice revealed a very difficult twist in this family story. It stated that she had an affair with her husband’s brother. This detail added another layer of personal betrayal to the narrative. So, it was not just about leaving, but also, you know, about actions within the marriage.

The accusation of an affair with her husband's brother, combined with the claim of abandonment, paints a picture of a very troubled past. These specific details, made public in the death notice, suggest a complex web of family issues. It shows, in a way, how deeply intertwined relationships can become. This particular accusation, you know, added to the dramatic nature of the published message.

The son who spoke out about the obituary explained that these events shaped their lives. The decision to share these private details publicly was a direct result of the pain they experienced. It was, in some respects, a way to explain their feelings to the wider world. This public revelation, you know, brought these long-held family secrets into the open.

Public Reaction and Lasting Impressions

When Kathleen Dehmlow's death notice appeared in June 2018, it quickly gained a lot of public attention. People were quite taken aback by its harshness and the very personal details it contained. It sparked many discussions, both locally and across the internet. So, it was not just a local story, but one that, you know, resonated with a much wider audience.

The story spread widely, appearing in various news outlets. Many people expressed surprise and, in some cases, a sense of shock at the children's decision to publish such a message. The public reaction showed a mix of feelings, from sympathy for the children to questions about the appropriateness of such a public display. It truly became a topic of, you know, broad conversation.

The incident also led to discussions about what purpose a death notice serves. Is it only for remembrance, or can it be a place for raw, unresolved family feelings? This public case of Kathleen Dehmlow's obituary certainly pushed the boundaries of what people expect. It left a lasting impression on many who read it, making them think about family relationships and, you know, how they play out.

You can read more about such unusual public notices from reputable news sources, like this one from Reuters, which often covers unique human interest stories. The story of Kathleen Dehmlow, for instance, became a topic of interest for many who follow news about unusual life events. It truly stood out, you know, in the stream of daily news.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kathleen Dehmlow

What made Kathleen Dehmlow's obituary so unusual?

The death notice for Kathleen Dehmlow was unusual because it contained very harsh words from her children. They stated she would not be missed and that the world was a better place without her. It also, you know, accused her of abandoning them in 1962 and having an affair with her husband's brother. This level of public criticism in a death notice is, you know, quite rare.

Who wrote the obituary for Kathleen Dehmlow?

The death notice for Kathleen Dehmlow was submitted by two of her children. These were her son, Jay Dehmalo, and her daughter, Gina. They were the ones who put together the message and, you know, sent it to the local newspaper. Their names were mentioned in connection with the message, so, it was clear who was behind it.

When did Kathleen Dehmlow pass away?

Kathleen Dehmlow died on May 31, 2018. She was 80 years old at the time of her passing. Her death occurred in Springfield, Minnesota. The death notice was published a few days later in the Redwood Falls Gazette. This date, you know, marks the start of the public discussion around her story.

Final Thoughts on a Public Story

The story of Kathleen Dehmlow, as told through her death notice, offers a window into the deep feelings that can exist within families. It shows how past events, even those from many years ago, can shape present emotions. The public nature of this message, you know, truly brought a private hurt into the open. It was a bold move by her children, to say the least.

The decision to publish such a direct and critical message in a death notice is a very rare occurrence. It highlights the lasting impact of family relationships, both good and bad. This particular story, in some respects, reminds us that life stories are often much more complex than they appear on the surface. It truly makes one think, you know, about the human heart.

This account, which gained wide attention, serves as a point of discussion about family bonds and the ways people deal with deep-seated feelings. It is a powerful example of how a death notice can become a means for a final, very public statement. Learn more about this topic on our site, and explore other compelling stories here . The case of Kathleen Dehmlow, as it came out, continues to be a unique example of human experience. It is, you know, a story that many people still remember.

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