Maurice Donald Weddle was born in Miami, Florida in1923, but spent the majority of his youth in Lindsborg, Kansas benefiting from the art and music culture that was flourishing in Lindsborg at that time.

After-school and summers often found him with friends moving about the town, visiting various craftsmen, from the famed artist from Sweden, Birger Sandzen, to the woodcarver Anton Pearson. That Lindsborg provided a fertile soil for budding artists and musicians was not lost on Donald. With notable teachers and artisans like Sandzen, painter Oscar Gunnerson, woodcarver Anton Person, cabinetmaker John Altenborg, pianist Oscar Torsen, Dr. Hagbard Brase, and artist Lester Raymer. Donald subtly and yet intentionally became drawn to this w...