Kathryn Rohmer Sepanski Voth

Kathryn “Kate” Rohmer Sepanski Voth, 27, passed on to eternal life on June 1, 2013, in Austin, ending her long and valiant battle with melanoma. Her courage, grace, and unwavering spirit in the face of prolonged and debilitating pain were a continual source of inspiration to all who knew her.

Born on March 27, 1986, in Dallas, Kate graduated as salutatorian and Miss Sacred Heart from Sacred Heart High School in Muenster, Texas, in 2004. Ever active, she had let her light shine in academics, track and cross country, the a cappella choir, cheerleading, and leading and mentoring her peers, all the while showing love and compassion for others. Attending St. Edward’s University, she graduated summa cum laude in December 2007 with a major in English Writing and Rhetoric. She then began employment with the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR), working in the organization’s marketing department. She went on to serve as ABoR’s first Social Media & Online Community Manager, becoming an emerging voice in Austin’s social media scene. In April of this year she was the recipient of the Women Communicators of Austin (WCA) President’s Award at the organization’s 40th Annual Banner Brunch. Applauded were her service to WCA, her work in communications and social media, her ability to inspire others, and her optimistic attitude.

An Emerge Program Graduate at Leadership Austin, Kate served as an Emerging Leaders Advisory Board Member at Concordia University. This past March she was honored as the first recipient of SOS Leadership Institute’s Leading Lady of Inspiration Award, paying tribute to the inspiration that Kate’s leadership, strength, courage, and optimism were to many. Also honored at the event was Team Kate, the largest team, which also raised the most money, participating in the 2013 Livestrong Marathon/Half-Marathon. With a lifelong passion for running, an activity denied her by the pain of cancer, Kate’s intrepid spirit inspired 119 people, many of whom would have never considered running or walking such a distance, to participate in the event in her place. Raising approximately $60,000, Team Kate became the biggest team and highest money raiser in Livestrong Austin’s history.

Kate is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Michael Voth of Austin. With their beautiful love story beginning during their high school days, they were married on June 14, 2008, the happiest day of their lives. In January of that year had come Kate’s diagnosis of stage 4 melanoma. Mike gave Kate his unfailing love and support, and through the years was her ever-present source of strength and joy.

Also surviving Kate are her parents, Robert E. and Linda Sepanski of Muenster; sisters, Sara Sepanski of Washington, DC, and Lauren Ortega and husband Lorenzo Ortega of Austin; brothers and spouses, Robert J. and Laurie Sepanski of Grapevine, John and Laurie Sepanski of Yorktown, Virginia, Thomas and Janet Sepanski of Fort Worth, and Michael and Roni Sepanski of Richmond, Virginia; grandmother Imelda Rohmer; her in-laws, Michael’s parents Danny and Janet Voth, sister Debra Sicking and husband Jason Sicking, and grandmothers Regina Pels and Lou Voth; and 16 nieces and nephews.

Kate’s family extends immense gratitude to Hospice of Austin for the invaluable care they provided to Kate during her final two months of life. Heartfelt thanks and appreciation are also extended to Kate’s many dear friends for the constant and continual love and support they showered upon her. Surrounded with love, Kate took great joy in life to her last moments on earth.

In addition to the Memorial Service and Viewing/Visitation at Cook-Walden Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 3, a Memorial Mass for Kate will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster, Texas, at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2013, with internment following in Sacred Heart Cemetery.