Ruth Merbeth Haas

She was predeceased by her parents, Gus and Selma Merbeth, by her only sibling Charles, and by her husband of 54 years, Gilbert. Ruth is survived by her son Brian Haas, daughter Kathryn Alexander (Richard); grandchildren Davida (Eric), Evan (Laura), and Benjamin; great grandchildren Cuilen and Mirai, and Carmen. In the Fall of 1942, Ruth entered Thomas Jefferson High School, joined the pep squad (the Lassos), and made a lifelong friend in Kathryn Wardell (nee Bennett, "Katie"). Their friendship spanned nearly 75 years.

St. John's Lutheran Church in San Antonio played a significant role in Ruth's life from the very beginning. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. John's, and she maintained a consistent and engaged relationship with St. John's and many of its members, even after she moved to Austin in July 2023. In 1932, her father was a member of the Building Committee for the "new" physical plant and her brother Charles, at age one, was the youngest member to attend the groundbreaking event in March of that year. Ruth and Gilbert married at St. John’s in 1948. Ruth helped create Women's Circle #8 and this Circle was active until 2011. They both remained active at the church throughout their lifetimes. They also joined a civic club, the Cosmopolitans, that would provide many new friends and social activities. Those friends remained a constant in Ruth's life. In the 1960s, Ruth's parents purchased just over two acres of land on a hillside in Helotes, Texas. Gilbert was responsible for erecting a one bedroom and bath cottage (with a wonderful screened in porch across the front), getting the well dug, and adding a "cement pond". Many, many Sunday afternoons were spent there, as well as Thanksgivings and other holidays, escaping the busyness of the big city. Also in the 1960s, Ruth and Katie decided to complete their college degrees, enrolling in Our Lady of the Lake University. In May 1970 Ruth (graduating with distinction) and Katie received their bachelor's degrees in education. Ruth's experience as a teacher in the elementary classroom was less than fulfilling, and she headed back to OLLU to earn a master's degree in library science, graduating in the summer of 1973. She was hired as a part-time assistant librarian at Lee High School, became very good friends and travel buddies with the head librarian, Gladys. When Gladys retired, Ruth became head librarian and completed a 20-year career in 1993, retiring to care for Gilbert. Along the way, Ruth and Gilbert traveled to Europe nine times and took cruises to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, and to Alaska. Ruth also traveled with friends to Russia, Japan, China, and Prague. Closer to home, Ruth visited all 50 states! Ruth enjoyed being with her family, making scrapbooks of her travels and reading books, magazines and especially the San Antonio newspaper.

The family wishes to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to all the caring staff at Renaissance Assisted Living and to the compassionate team from Suncrest Hospice. Memorials: St. John's Lutheran Church, San Antonio; or Disabled American Veterans. Interment of ashes to be held in San Antonio at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 10:30 am. A celebration of life will follow at Noon at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 E Nueva St.