Lester Raymer, born in 1907, grew up on a farm just southwest of Alva, Oklahoma. Raymer worked with a variety of art forms beginning in his early grade school years and continuing throughout his artistic career. He received his bachelor's degree in art from the Art Institute of Chicago. From 1936 to 1945 Raymer lived on his family farm again and continued to develop his artwork. Raymer met Ramona Weddle, his future wife, at the Art Institute.

Ramona was born in 1909 at the Brunswick Hotel in Lindsborg, Kansas. She attended the Art Institute of Chicago during the same time period as Raymer. After her graduation in 1936, Ramona came back to Lindsborg and taught in the Art Department of Bethany College. In 1945, Lester and Ramona marrie...