IONIA — Mary Louise Catherine Richter, 83, of Ionia, Iowa, passed away Friday, July 17, 2026, leaving behind a life shaped by family, entrepreneurship, fashion and a deep love for Iowa’s natural landscape.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Mary Lou was born May 12, 1943, in North Buena Vista, Iowa, to Norbert Boge and Loretta Dean. She moved to Chickasaw County in 1950 and attended Maple Grove Country School as well as St. Boniface Church and School.
She graduated from Nashua High School in 1962 after being welcomed into the family of Leslie and Rosalie Turner.
According to her obituary, Mary Lou attended junior college before beginning what would become a 50-year career in retail fashion.
She met Bernie Richter in 1969, and the couple married that October. They built their country home near Ionia in 1972 and welcomed their daughter, Lisa, in 1975.
That same year, Mary Lou and Bernie founded Saxony, a retail fashion business that grew to include multiple locations serving Charles City and surrounding communities.
Her obituary notes that Mary Lou was also an avid environmentalist with a particular passion for protecting Iowa’s native landscape.
She worked to conserve and restore native tallgrass prairie on her property, helping preserve rare orchids, native plants and wildlife. Her efforts reflected a long-standing commitment to the natural beauty and ecological heritage of Iowa.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Lisa Richter, and son-in-law Nathan Hesnard; grandson Ryder Hesnard-Richter; partner Thomas Dolan; and many beloved siblings, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie Richter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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