Mary Jo McBee

Mary Jo (Richardson) McBee, 84

Tama, Iowa

Mary passed away after entering hospice care for cancer.

Born March 26, 1941, at home on a farm near Goldfield, Iowa.

Parents: Raynard C. Richardson and Ruth Lucille (Whyte) Richardson [both deceased]

Siblings:

• Kenneth Richardson [deceased]
• Deane Richardson, Littleton, CO
• Edward Richardson [deceased]

Grades 1-8: Attended a one-room school, Liberty #6, in rural Wright County, Iowa.

High School: Graduated from Goldfield High School, 1959

College: Graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, 1970

Spouses:

Donald W. Wanatee Sr., married 1961 - divorced 1965 [now deceased]

Children of the Marriage:

1. David (Cyndi) Clark Wanatee II, Tama, IA
2. Dawn Suzanne (Johnathan) Buffalo, Marshalltown, IA

• Robert T. Cain, divorced 1970
• Bedford “Chuck” E. Kaatz, divorced 1972
• Donald Lee McBee, married 1973 - divorced 1982
• Donald Lee McBee, married 1983 - divorced 1991 [now deceased]

Grandchildren

Chris Wanatee, Portland OR; Carolyn (Bo Becker) Wanatee, Marshalltown; Cait Wanatee, Grinnell; Clarisa (Daniel) Anthony; Nader (Yvondra) Buffalo, Marshalltown; Richard Buffalo, Tama; Johnanna (James) Cannady

Great grandchildren

Shian, Milah, Aidan, Vincent, Thea, Abraylin, Adinah, Romeo, Nevaeh, Joelena, Karmin, Hazel, Raymond, December, and Dayton

Great Great Grandchildren

Raiden, Emberly

Beloved dogs, Trygg and Syndra, who have a new home with Suzanne and Johnathan.

Mary Jo Richardson, was born and raised in the upper rural Midwest and was proud to be of Norse/Scottish descent. She developed a deep appreciation of the Meskwaki Tribe when she was married to Donald Wanatee, and though the marriage didn’t last her love for the people, culture and history of the Tribe continued her entire life. During the 1970's while in Colorado with her National Park Service husband, Don McBee, she became deeply involved with the survival of wolves and other large predators in the wild, animals at that time fast disappearing from the vast western landscapes. Later they lived in Arizona, Lake Mead and western Grand Canyon, where Mary spent years hiking, back country exploring, and researching the history of the remote area. Writer, adventurer, philosopher, and activist, she loved the beauty of the natural world and all the inhabitants in it and she worked tirelessly to raise awareness of and advocate for protecting the rights of nature, a clean environment, and valuing all living things.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and supportive staff of Iowa River Hospice, the Tama County Police Department and Tama County paramedics, and Mitchell Family Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to a charity of your choice or the High Country News.