Donald Wellington Wanatee Sr., 88, of Tama, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at his home on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama under the care of his family and UnityPoint Hospice-Grinnell. Traditional Graveside Services will be held Friday, April 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the McIntosh Cemetery on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama with Larry Lasley Sr. as speaker. Head Pallbearer-Wayne Pushetonequa and Pallbearers-Lucius Bear, Bryant Bear, Richard Wolf, Cordell Bear, Larnell Bear, Jarvis Bear, Trevor Mauskemo and Adonis Lasley. Head Cook- Avis Bear. A Traditional Wake will be held Thursday evening at the Eagle Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement.

Donald was born on January 4, 1933, in Toledo, Iowa, the son of Frank David Wanatee Sr. and Jean Adeline (Morgan) Wanatee.

He graduated from Tama High School. He attended college at Central, Luther, Iowa State, and got his Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa.

Donald served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1951-1955 on the USS Chowanoc.

On May 15, 1970, he married Priscilla Lasley in LeGrand, Iowa. Donald was a social worker where he was a specialist for ICWA. He served on the Meskwaki Annual Pow Wow Association, the Meskwaki Tribal Council, office of the State Archaeologist Indian Advisory Council, Democratic Committees on the County, State, and National levels, and served as Executive Director of the Meskwaki Tribe. Donald was a Meskwaki man that lived a traditional Meskwaki life. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, writing, talking and cartography. Donald loved spending time with his best friend and wife, Priscilla, his family and grandkids.

Survivors include his wife, Priscilla; siblings, Elizabeth Roberts, Marian Davenport, Darrel Wanatee, Frank Wanatee Jr., and Sunni Joy all of the Meskwaki Settlement; children, David Clark II, Dawn Suzanne, Heather, Donnielle, Donetta, Donica, Donnae, and Donald Jr. all of the Meskwaki Settlement; grandchildren, Christopher, Carolyn, Caitlin, Clarissa, Thane, Quinn, Megan, Jay Jr., Jaycob, Jaylynn, Loveena, Viviana, and Natalia; and many great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and siblings, David Clark, Ethelyn, and Francis