Constance "Connie" Tschirhart Rihn Balmos of Castroville, passed away November 19th, 2022, in San Antonio at the age of 92, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Connie was born September 28th, 1930, the firstborn of Ralph "Blackie" & Annette "Netta" Droitcourt Tschirhart.

Connie graduated from St. Louis Catholic School (1948) and attended Our Lady of the Lake University. Connie and Maurice A. Rihn were married on October 26th,1949 at St. Louis Catholic Church, and were blessed with 4 children and 41 years of marriage at the time of Maurice's passing in 1990.

Connie married Harold J. Balmos on Feb 1, 1993. They enjoyed 22 years together before Harold's passing in 2014.

Connie was active in her community and church. While managing the family business (Maurice Rihn Liquor/ Castroville Appliance & Plumbing), she pursued her hobby of area history and genealogy. She was a contributor on the first Medina County History book, helped organize the St. Louis Church archives (1974), co-authored St Louis Church Castroville , was a Castro Colonies Heritage Association charter member & President 2000-2001, a 72-year member of St. Ann's Altar Society, co-chaired the '76 St. Louis Day, and was active in St. Louis and Medina Valley school clubs & band sponsor groups. Connie received awards and accolades for her dedication to the preservation of Castroville history. Her brain, full of knowledge, stories, dates, and names was a wonder that will be missed. She could point out a house and tell us who built it and what families lived in it over the years. Connie received many calls & letters from folks seeking family genealogy information. When her family & caregivers teased her about her energy and strength, she cheerfully replied, "Well I'm Blackie's Daughter!"

Maurice and Connie enjoyed boating & skiing at Medina Lake, playing cards with their monthly Pitch group, playing volleyball, league bowling, and especially dancing at Quihi and the Roaring 20's.

When Connie met Harold at Martinez Dance Hall, it was the beginning of their adventures in gardening, dancing, bowling, traveling to Harold's Coast Guard Reunions, enjoying their annual Rockport trips, and hosting family & friends at home. And Connie finally had someone who enjoyed attending the many meetings & events she loved.

One of the highlights of her life was hosting Alsatian friends at her home, then traveling to Alsace to stay with her "Alsatian sister" Monique, in Ensisheim. Many close relationships were formed in Alsace and on their visits to Castroville.

Survivors include her son, Maurice "Reesie" Rihn Jr. (Stephanie); daughter, Clare Smith (Lewis); step-daughter, Anise Adamietz (Gerald) son-in-law, Leland Lester; grandchildren, Sonja Foxcroft (Geoffrey), Nick Lester (Ava), Sarah Burkett Archer (Josh), Kelsey Burkett (TJ McCarty), Jessica Armstrong (Jamie), Justin Rihn (Angela), Jolie Smith, and Ellie Smith; step-grandsons, Scott and Patrick Adamietz; great-grandchildren, Layne, Harrison, Andrew, Triston, Tuff, Tucker, Adalida, Trace, Tyne, Corbin, and Ava; sister, Merilyn "Tootsie" Fields; sister-in-law, Alfrene Tschirhart; brother-in-law, Harold Hans.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Maurice Rihn, husband, Harold Balmos; daughters, Cathy Lester and Laurie Burkett; son-in-law James Lynn Burkett; granddaughter, Katy Lauren Smith; sister, Anna Louise "Easy" Hans; brother, William "Billy" Tschirhart; brother-in-law, Carl Fields.

Visitation will be Monday, November 28th, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. The Holy Rosary to be recited Tuesday, November 29th, 2022, 9:45 a.m. at St Louis Catholic Church, followed immediately by the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Castroville, Texas.

Memorials may be made in Connie's memory to St. Louis Catholic School, Cure SMA (https://www.curesma.org), or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com