Ferdinand Louis "Ferd" Rothe of D'Hanis, Texas, passed away January 11, 2006, at the age of 84. He was born January 2, 1922, in D'Hanis, the son of Arthur H. & Laura (Reinhart) Rothe. He attended elementary and high school in Sabinal and then graduated from St. Mary's University before being called to serve his country in the Army Air Corp. He was assigned to the Finance Department and was stationed in California, and subsequently in Africa and India. In January 1944, he married Elsie Bel Bendele, and after Ferd's discharge from the service, he and Elsie returned to his ranch home and begin his lifetime career of ranching. Ferd also worked for Texas Aviation Industries and later for Medina Electric Cooperative, where he retired in 1990. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Margaret Cameron Rothe; sister Laurinda Rothe McGee. Ferd is survived by his wife Elsie (Bendele) Rothe of D'Hanis; daughter Laura Rothe Abbott and husband Dan of Kerrville; sons Louis A.Rothe and wife Susie of D'Hanis, Arthur F. Rothe of Hondo, Jack Rothe of Hondo; 5 grandchildren. The Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 15, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in D'Hanis and the Funeral Mass, officiated by Fr Wallis J. Stiles, will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday January 16, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in D'Hanis. The pallbearers were Michael Rothe, Josh Abbott, Donnie Balzen, Carl Bendele, Larry Bendele, Doug Bendele, and the honorary pallbearers were Bradford Boehme, Ramey Goushey, Randy Graff, Chris Thomas, Dennis Williams. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in D'Hanis.