Mary passed away August 30, 2025, after entering hospice care earlier this year due to cancer. Mary was born March 26, 1941, at home on a farm near Goldfield, Iowa, to Raynard C. Richardson and Ruth Lucille (Whyte) Richardson [both deceased] and siblings are Kenneth Richardson [deceased], Deane Richardson, Littleton, CO, and Edward Richardson [deceased].

She attended a one-room schoolhouse Liberty #6, in rural Wright County, Iowa, graduated from Goldfield High School in 1959, and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1970.

She married Donald W. Wanatee Sr. in 1961, had two children, David and Dawn Suzanne, and they divorced in 1965. She married and Robert T. Cain (divorced1970), Bedford “Chuck” E. Kaatz (divorced 1972), and Donald Lee McBee (married 1973-1991).

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, although 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.

She is survived by her children David (Cyndi) Clark Wanatee, II, Tama, and Dawn Suzanne (Johnathan) Buffalo, Marshalltown; Grandchildren Chris Wanatee, Portland, OR, Carolyn (Bo Becker) Wanatee, Marshalltown, Cait Wanatee, Grinnell, Clarisa (Daniel) Anthony, Iowa Falls, Nader (Yvondra) Buffalo, Marshalltown, Richard Buffalo, Tama, and Johnanna (James) Cannady, Bessemer, MI; Great grandchildren Shian, Milah, Romeo, Nevaeh, Aidan, Vincent, Thea, Abraylin, Adinah, Joelena, Karmin, Hazel, Raymond, December, and Dayton; Great great grandchildren Raiden and Emberly; and her beloved dogs, Trygg and Syndra, who have a new home with Suzanne and Johnathan.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and supportive staff of Iowa River Hospice (especially Angie), the Tama County Police Department and Tama County paramedics, and Mitchell Family Funeral Homes. She will be cremated and her remains will be scattered at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to a charity or worthy cause of your choice, or to The High Country News, her favorite publication.