V. Fern Rauch

February 20, 1922 - December 23, 2014

V. Fern Rauch Obituary Velma Fern (Simpson) Rauch was born in Johnson County, IL to Charles Harry and Eunice (Whittenberg) Simpson on February 20, 1922. She passed away December 23, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. Fern attended two different rural schools in Johnson County and graduated from Vienna Township High School in Vienna, IL. She worked briefly at the U.S. Old Age Assistance Office and for a dentist. She married H. Paul Rauch on May 31, 1941. Paul enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and he and Fern were stationed in Staten Island, NY. After Paul?s discharge, they returned to Illinois and operated a grain and livestock farm for 17 years. They moved to Spokane, WA in 1977 when Paul became employed as a bank examiner for Farm Credit Administration. Fern was a full-time homemaker and enjoyed caring for her family. She is survived by her husband of 73 years, H. Paul Rauch and four children: Fern Paulette Ashbrook, Sparta, IL, James Edward Rauch, Mason, OH, Margaret Kay Rios, Cedar Hills, TX and Carolyn Sue Jess, Spokane, WA. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. She and Paul loved to travel and visit family and friends. They were members of Westgate Christian Church, Spokane, WA. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, December 29, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be made to Westgate Christian Church or to Hospice of Spokane. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 10 a.m. in the chapel at Heritage Funeral Home.