Edmund Rauch left us to go on to his glory on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. Loved ones had gathered during the week, and he went peacefully to rest to see his Lord and those gone before him.
Ed’s amazing life started and ended in his home of nearly 88 years. His first and last breaths were on this family farm he had purchased from his parents in 1950.
He attended Harmony Elementary School and graduated from Meridian High School, where he would later serve for 12 years on the school board. He met Vernelle Severson in 1949 and they were married in 1952 for a total of 66 years. Ed served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1952 to 1954, with duty stations in California and Japan. Ed and Vernelle raised their three children on the family farm with many adventures and hard work. While a dairy farmer he was also employed with Meridian Equipment and Brim Tractor. He later drove school bus for the Meridian School District and drove for Ludtke Trucking. After stopping dairy farming, Ed and Vernelle raised beef cattle before he retired again. They enjoyed traveling, spending time on Orcas Island, on the road or down in Desert Hot Springs, having way too much fun living life.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Charlie Rauch; brother Art; sister Margie Rick; and daughter Moreen.
He is survived by his wife, Vernelle; sons Mark and Matt Rauch; son-in-law John Ellis, his wife Teresa Ellis; grandchildren Anna Rades and husband Luke, Otto Rauch, Bobby Turman, twins Holly and Heather Ellis; great-grandchildren twins Nate and Jake Rades; loving neighbors and friends; niece Marsha Eden; numerous other nieces and nephews; also Vivian and Curt Queen, Vernelle’s niece.
The family expresses heartfelt thanks for the wonderful job the caregivers of Take My Hand At Home Care gave over these months. Thank-you also to Hospice for all the support. Thank-you to pastors Dave Wagner and Jerry Scanson.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in Trinity Lutheran Church of Bellingham where Ed’s grandfather was one of the founders and Ed was an elder.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran.
