Jennifer Lee Rochat Rothe of D'Hanis passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the age of 65. Born in San Marcos, August 13, 1957, she was the daughter of Kenneth Farrell Rochat and Patricia Dawn Sparks "Pat" Rochat, who preceded her in death.

Jennifer started life in San Marcos living in a travel trailer as her mother finished school to become a teacher. Afterwards, the family moved to Arizona, where her parents taught on the Navajo Reservation, instilling a love for the Native American culture she experienced there.

Subsequently, the family returned to Sabinal, Texas, where she graduated high school in 1975. Her studies continued first at Sam Houston State University, but upon her marriage to Rick in 1976, were put on hold as he finished school at Texas A&M University. She met Rick at a dance in Lakeview and was swept off her feet by his dancing. They continued to dance throughout the rest of her life, sometimes just in the living room or on the front porch.

While Rick finished his degree, she worked in the student loan department collecting repayments of loans, some of which she collected from individuals living out of the country. Her experiences in collections greatly helped her later in her chosen profession. She always told people she got her first degree from Texas A&M – her PHT (put-hubby-through). After Rick graduated, the couple moved to Uvalde where she continued her studies at SWTJC and Sul Ross in Uvalde. The next chapter took them to Marfa, where she attended school and graduated in 1982 from Sul Ross State University in Alpine with a degree in accounting. She had many fond memories and made great friends while living in Marfa.

After another move to Georgetown, she was able to take and pass her CPA exams, which became her profession for the rest of her life. Moving "home" to Hondo in 1984, she worked for a time at Dodson, Nunley & Taylor law firm, until in 1986 she and business partner Brenda Groff founded their own CPA firm, Groff & Rothe CPAs. Her son, Seth was born in 1987, and daughter Hannah in 1990.

For the first 10 years of their business, she averaged working more than 65 hours a week. It was also during this period that she began working for Bankruptcy Trustees in Uvalde and Austin. Bankruptcy accounting was her favorite part of being a CPA as she loved helping the Trustee find "hidden" assets. She was the accountant for some very large bankruptcy cases and some of that work set new precedent in bankruptcy estate taxation. Her passion for bankruptcy work was such that, when she retired from her business in 2019, she maintained that portion of her business until she just couldn't anymore.

Jennifer also had the opportunity to travel to Europe and connect with her ancestral homeplace in Vallee du Joux, Switzerland, keeping in contact with the many relatives she met there and in Alsace where Rick's family emigrated from. She enjoyed visiting her European family and hosting them when they visited Texas.

Jennifer was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in D'Hanis, volunteering as a Sunday school teacher and, along with Rick, teaching confirmation class for many years. She also served as a member of the finance council for the Archdiocese of San Antonio as well as at Holy Cross. She also was a founding member of the DYA, D'Hanis Youth Association, where she served as treasurer and bookkeeper for many years.

She will be remembered for her strong will, professionalism, intellect, elegance, grace, and most of all as a wife and mother.

Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Eric C. "Rick" Rothe; son, Seth Eric Rothe of D'Hanis, daughter, Hannah Lee Hoffmeister (Keith) of Houston; sister Sheila Rothe (Richard) of D'Hanis; and brother Jeff Rochat (Trisha) of Mason, five brothers- and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Family and friends will gather on Friday, April 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Guinn-Horger Chapel in Hondo, and Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.

Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, April 22, 10:30 a.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church in D'Hanis, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Parish Hall Renovation Fund.

Arrangements by Guinn-Horger Funeral Home, Hondo