Ruth Ann Buchhorn

She died of heart failure June 15 at age 85, nine months after her husband Glenn W. Buchhorn Sr.

Ruth Ann Grams was born Oct. 8, 1939, to Edward and Dorothy Kress Grams in San Antonio, the eldest of five children. She grew up in the King William neighborhood and worshipped at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, known affectionately as St. Joske’s, that served the city’s German Catholics.

As a teen, Buchhorn joined civil rights actions against the Majestic Theater. Mixed race activists lined up to buy movie tickets. When refused, each pair returned repeatedly to the end of the line.

She graduated from Providence High School in 1957 and 50 years on still attended reunions. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1961 and went to work at the San Antonio Public Library where she headed the Book Mobile Service and drove the mobile library to developing suburban neighborhoods as the city grew.

A young Army veteran caught Buchhorn’s eye at a drag race and the couple was married in 1963. They soon filled their home with children. While expecting their first child, the Buchhorns welcomed two nephews into their home. The two boys were still in diapers at the time of the adoption, creating a mountain of laundry.

In 1971, the couple invested in Carl Electric and she served as president, putting her on the short list of women-owned businesses in San Antonio. In 1972, she opened her shop, Treasures, Trinkets and Trifles, which operated in various locations downtown and at area craft markets. She sewed, crocheted and embroidered goods for sale as well as gifts.

With business demands on her time, Buchhorn assigned rotating household chores, ensuring her children’s self-sufficiency and work ethic. As a family, the Buchhorns supported the children’s activities and sports events. She also served as den mother for the local Cub Scouts. She raised her children at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where she sang in the choir for many years.

Buchhorn is preceded in death by her parents, husband of 59 years and son John at age 18.

Survivors include children Glenn Jr. and wife Rhonda Buchhorn, Tricia Buchhorn and wife Irene Abrego, Mark and wife Kristin Buchhorn of San Antonio and Raymond Buchhorn Grams of Houston; grandchildren Jennifer and husband Alex Cheng of Pattison; Tiffany and husband Nathan McCrayer of Tomball; Ethan and wife Kielyn Buchhorn of San Antonio; Devin Buchhorn of Portland, Oregon; Shawndy Buchhorn, boyfriend Christian Bocanegra and his daughter Marlee of San Antonio; Elyse Grams; great-grandchildren Athena, Victoria and Diana Cheng; Annalisa and Parker McCrayer; Gemma Willow Buchhorn; many nieces and nephews; and siblings, John Grams of Malibu, Robert and wife Mary Ann Grams, Mary Elaine Primm of San Antonio, and Ricky and wife Dorinda Grams of Houston.

Deacon Paul Cardenas will officiate a memorial service at 11 a.m. July 13 in the chapel with interment at noon in the mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1702 Austin Hwy. Following is a reception in the funeral home’s Lone Star Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Buchhorn’s memory to the San Antonio Public Library Foundation at https://www.saplf.org.