Jay Dehmalo and his sister Gina used their mother’s obituary to express years of resentment. It started as a typical death notice but quickly took a shocking turn.
“In 1962 she became pregnant by her husband’s brother Lyle Dehmlow and moved to California,” they wrote. “She abandoned her children, Gina and Jay, who were then raised by her parents.”
The obituary, published in the Redwood Falls Gazette, ended bluntly: “She passed away on May 31, 2018, in Springfield and will now face judgment. She will not be missed by Gina and Jay, and they understand that this world is a better place without her.”
After the obituary went viral, Jay told the Daily Mail they hesitated but ultimately wanted the truth out. “She came home twice… showing pictures of her and her kids playing cards, drinking beers… Gina and I were just standing there. She didn’t even acknowledge us.”
The newspaper later removed the obituary, but it had already spread online. Some relatives criticized Jay and Gina, but they stood by their decision, saying they had no regrets.