Obituaries

“The 105-word "memorial" in a small-town newspaper in Minnesota was unquestionably blunt. The Redwood Falls Gazette in Redwood Falls, Minn. — population 5,254 — removed the notice from its website this week after it sparked an outcry from many readers who argued it went too far. The notice opens in typical fashion. Kathleen Dehmlow (nee Schunk) was born in 1938 in Wabasso, Minn., and married Dennis Dehmlow 19 years later. The couple had two children, Gina and Jay. By the third paragraph, the death notice takes an unexpected turn. "In 1962, she became pregnant by her husband's brother Lyle Dehmlow and moved to California," it reads. "She abandoned her children, Gina and Jay, who were then raised by her parents in Clements, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schunk." The notice ends on a particularly harsh and bitter note. "She passed away on May 31, 2018 in Springfield and will now face judgement. She will not be missed by Gina and Jay, and they understand that this world is a better place without her.””*

Can you imagine relationships being so bad in a family that an obituary such as this is the result? How incredibly sad. It reminds me of an incident in the Scriptures. The prophet Elijah sends a letter to Jehoram, the wicked king of Judah, warning him of the coming judgment of God. When the punishment came, just as predicted, note the brief but haunting “obituary” for Jehoram: “He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one’s regret, and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings” (2 Chronicles 21:20).

May God help us all to live in such a way that those around us would say that the world was a better place with us rather than without us. May our passing cause regret rather than celebration. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

God loves you!

Mike

*npr.org