Janet Hope Firring Rothert

Janet Hope Firring Rothert went to be with the Lord on April 6, 2009. She was born June 25, 1915, in Chicago, IL to Jens C. Firring and Marion Jensen Firring, the fourth child of naturalized citizens who arrived on America's shores from Denmark. They taught her a deep love and appreciation for the privilege of being an American. She was taught to work hard in school and in the family business and to strive for perfection, always doing her best. Janet was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Matt; and their son, Paul. She leaves cherished memories with her children: Alice Nelson and husband Jim, of Lakeway, TX; Matthew Jr. and wife Carol Lynn, of Holland, MI; Hope Taft and husband Bob, of Dayton, OH; and Monica Rothert of Hot Springs. In addition, she leaves eight grandchildren including Christian Nelson, Catherine McKeown, Matthew Rothert, Jr, Mark Rothert, Paul Rothert Jr., Caroline Boch, Anna Taft and John Rothert, and eight great-grandchildren. Janet always had a place in her heart for the less fortunate and she helped them in both organized ways and privately. She was a role model for her children and the community. Every day she flew the American Flag to show the world her pride and joy in being an American and this love for America permeated her sphere of influence. One of her priorities was supporting and helping her husband, Matt. They were a team. Thus, when God inspired Matt to see that IN GOD WE TRUST be printed on the U.S. currency, she was ready and willing to help. Without her organizational and secretarial skills in the 1950's, Matt Rothert might not have been able to lead the effort to get the legislation passed that made it a law that the motto IN GOD WE TRUST be placed on all U.S. currency and also become the official U.S. motto. They contacted hundreds of organizations and she typed over 1000 letters which started a grassroots groundswell of support that propelled the idea forward. IN GOD WE TRUST is on our paper money today because of their efforts, leadership, patriotism, trustworthiness and service. God worked through them to spread His message because they had the determination and drive to not give up before the result was accomplished. President Eisenhower signed the bill into law in 1955. In 2005, Janet was awarded the DAR Medal of Honor for her contributions to getting "In God We Trust" on the United States currency. In 2004, Janet moved to Lakeway, TX, near her daughter, Alice, and her family. She was a member of The Lakeway Church. A memorial service will be held at the The Lakeway Church Memorial Garden on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 2:00 PM with Pastor Brent Graham presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tandana Foundation, 2933 Lower Bellbrook Rd., Spring Valley, OH 45370-9001 or First Presbyterian Church, 313 Greening Street, Camden, AR 71701.