04/09/2026
Russell Kenneyed Raymer passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026, in Florence, South
Carolina. He was born May 4, 1937, the son of Ray Raymer and Earle Glenn (Johnson)
Raymer in Kansas, IL on May 4, 1937.
Russell is preceded in death by his wife, Alice Ann Gaines, his parents Ray and Earle Raymer,
and his sister Olga Raymer Heath. He is survived by his youngest sister Barbara Sue Oliver of
Indianapolis, IN, and his children: Kevin Raymer (Merilyn) of Virginia Beach, VA; Bradley
Raymer (Patrice) of New Hope, MN and Melissa Raymer (Ron Fox) of Chanhassen, MN and
granddaughters Samantha Raymer (Paul Cu***ng) and Meghan Holtman (Danie).
Russell met his wife Alice on a blind date, got engaged the following Saturday, and married
three months later on August 15, 1959. They lovingly embraced and supported each other for
63 years until Alice passed away on March 28, 2022. He honorably served two years in the
U.S. Army in Korea and Fort Eustis, VA near the end of the Korean War with Co. C 159 th T Bn
as a Boatswain before returning home to Illinois. He worked construction driving cement trucks
in the building of the State Farm Center that opened as Assembly Hall on March 2, 1963 on
the University of Illinois campus in Champaign, Illinois. He built farm silos and then managed
farm fertilizer distribution for Schertz Fertilizer Service in El Paso, IL and then Aylco Fertilizer
Service in Cooksville, IL. Russell and Alice moved their family to Wisconsin to work for Lindsay
Brothers and L.F. George, Inc. building a thriving sales portfolio selling and delivering farm
equipment and recreational vehicles to implement dealers throughout Wisconsin, Michigan,
Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. He and Alice transitioned into insurance by operating their own
Farmers Insurance Group agencies in Rice Lake and Eau Claire, WI for many years. They
initially retired to Chanhassen, MN but moved to Florence, SC for their final years. He enjoyed
the outdoors, time with family, friends, animals, and spreading his wicked sense of humor.
Russell was a dedicated husband and father who will be deeply missed by his adoring family
and the wonderful staff at Southland Health Care Center in Florence, SC.
