Erma Lydia Rausch, 93, of Solomons passed away on June 19th at Asbury Solomons Health Center from complications following a stroke.

She was the wife of the late Martin W. Rausch of Annapolis and daughter of the late Elmer C. Wright and Lydia Deiterly Wright of Baltimore.

Erma was born on November 27, 1917 and was raised in Baltimore. The Wright family lived in the Waverly section of Baltimore City. She graduated from Eastern High School in 1935. After high school, Erma was employed as a telephone switchboard operator for the Bell Telephone Company in Baltimore.

While visiting a friend in Pasadena, Maryland, she was introduced to her future husband, Martin Rausch of Annapolis. During their courtship Martin and Erma enjoyed motorcycle riding and attending hill climbs and other competitive motorcycle events. They were married in 1941 and moved to Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio where Martin served as a Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following the war, they returned to Annapolis and moved into their home on Creek Drive in Eastport. There they raised their 2 children, Marsha and Dale. In 1960 the Rausch family moved to a new home in the community of Annapolis Roads just outside of Annapolis.

Erma continued her employment with the telephone company in Annapolis, finally retiring in 1973. That same year, Martin retired from federal civil service with the Naval Test and Evaluation Center in Annapolis. Erma and Martin traveled extensively during retirement, visiting friends and family throughout the country and also made occasional trips to Europe. In 2002 they sold their home in Annapolis Roads and moved to Asbury Retirement Community in Solomons.

Erma was well known for her friendliness, her great sense of humor, and her ability to easily talk to anyone. As a result she has built many life long friendships over the years. She will be missed by many.

Erma is survived by her daughter, Marsha Gillespie of Bonita Springs, Florida, and son, Dale M. Rausch of Solomons, her brother, Herbert Wright of Parkville, Maryland, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday June 30, 2011 from 10- 10:30 A.M. at the Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD where services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Annapolis, MD.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home, P.A.