Alinda Paulyann Bassingthwaite, 88, of Wahpeton, ND passed away on December 4, 2025, with her loving family by her side, at St. Catherine’s Living Center in Wahpeton.
Alinda was born on February 28, 1937, in Wolf Point, Montana to Irma and Earl Higgins. As an only child, Alinda always knew she wanted a big family someday. She was raised on a farm in North Dakota near the Canadian border and grew up doing farm chores, responsible for milking cows and driving a 1948 Ford tractor into the pasture to chase the cows home. That old Ford tractor is still in the family. She attended school in Sarles, ND, where she met her husband, George, in first grade. Going to school in this area came with its own unique challenges which taught her resiliency and resourcefulness. In 1948, during a very snowy winter with nearly impassable roads, her father put skis on his plane and flew Alinda to school while George and his siblings arrived in a horse drawn sleigh. Alinda learned how to play the piano as a child and in high school, she played the flute. She was a cheerleader and played basketball, which back then was played in 3-on-3 half court format. Always an excellent student, she was asked by her teachers to tutor other classmates, which sparked a future passion for teaching. Alinda graduated as the class valedictorian in 1955.
Alinda loved teaching and touched countless lives throughout her long career in education. She attended Minot State College and graduated with a two-year standard teaching degree in 1957. She would later return to school to obtain her bachelor’s in education and a Special Education Master’s degree. During summers as a young adult, she worked at Camp Grassick, a children’s camp in North Dakota. Her first official teaching job was teaching a classroom of 30 fifth graders in Great Falls, Montana. Alinda believed that everyone deserved the best education and always saw students for what they could do, not what they couldn’t. She taught a wide variety of students, including students at the School for the Deaf in Devils Lake (where she became proficient in sign language), students at the Fergus Falls State Hospital, and adult students pursuing a GED. She ran a private kindergarten in Lisbon, ND before public kindergarten was established. She taught in the Wahpeton and Breckenridge school systems and at the Circle of Nations school. Alinda was able to connect with students by focusing on their strengths, showing infinite patience, and demonstrating a forgiving nature. She tried to retire three times but always came back to teaching, as it was not just a job to her, but a privilege and a passion.
Alinda was an amazing partner to her husband, George. They were united in marriage on March 27, 1959. Together they built a loving family with five children. They moved often as George’s career grew, living in Fargo, Lisbon, Grand Forks, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, making many friends along the way. Her Lisbon friends held a special place in her heart and are still family friends today. Moving to Green Bay was an adventure and the family would stay in Wisconsin for seven years. George and Alinda bought a home in the country and Alinda was a stay-at-home mom. Many memories and friends were made there, and the family fondly reminisces about their pony Buster, the pickle patch, fish boils, and camping in the backyard. Neighborhood children would gather at Alinda’s house, and she always made people feel welcome, caring little about the messes children make. The “little boys,” John and Paul, were born in Green Bay and Alinda’s dream of a large family was complete. In 1976, Alinda and George decided to return home to North Dakota and moved to Wahpeton. They soon bought a lake lot at West Silent Lake and put in many hours of hard work to build a cabin. This became a gathering place for family and friends with many special moments year after year. While there were many big family milestones celebrated at the lake (including an epic 25th anniversary party for George and Alinda in 1984 and several weddings), it is the everyday memories and moments such as time on the pontoon and in front of the fireplace are cherished the most.
Alinda adored babies and was delighted to have 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren to spoil and love. Each grandchild held a special place in her heart, and her love will live on through her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her grandchildren fondly attribute many early life lessons to their grandma, including patience being a virtue, imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, and that the easiest thing to do is to be kind to others.
Alinda was known for her kindness, generosity and compassion. She was always quietly helping someone, never claiming credit. Whether she was making casseroles for a family in need, tutoring students, or listening to a friend, she was always thinking of others. She was a good and loyal friend to many. Many of her children’s friends regarded her as a “second mom.” She was an active member of Evergreen United Methodist Church and dedicated volunteer at the Bagg Bonzana Farm. Alinda loved her work on the pastoral care committee, an act of kindness that was returned to her in recent years. In her free time, she loved reading, cats, refinishing antiques, quilting, cooking, and gardening. She had a good eye for antiques and home decorating, often snatching up the best things at bargain prices right before they became the next hot trend.
The family would like to thank the staff of St Catherine’s Living Center for their excellent care of Alinda.
In lieu of flowers, Alinda preferred donations to the Bagg Bonanza Farm or the children’s library at Leach Public Library.
Alinda is survived by her devoted husband, George and her five children, Nancy (Roger) Richels, Mark (Renae) Bassingthwaite, Susan (Mike) Rittenour, John (Tiffany) Bassingthwaite and Paul Bassingwaite, twelve grandchildren, Kelsey, Jake (Dominique), Clay, Hunter, Jack, Kiara (Tanner), Kolby, Isaac, Quinn, Kelton, Ethan and Grady and two great grandchildren, Tatym and DeLainey. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved granddaughter, Brooke Bassingthwaite.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Evergreen United Methodist Church, Wahpeton, from 4 PM – 6 PM with Prayer Service at 6 PM. Her Memorial Service will be held Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 10 AM also at Evergreen United Methodist Church with visitation resuming one hour prior. Rev. Kori Lehrkamp will officiate.
