Elizabeth Grace Hampsten

March 21, 1932 – June 16, 2026

Elizabeth Grace Hampsten, 94, finished her last chapter in Seattle, WA on June 16, 2026. Renown for her compassion, generosity, and dry humor, she will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Elizabeth was born in 1932 in Germany, the first child of Elizabeth and Shiras Morris, a U.S. foreign-service officer. During her childhood, the Morris family also lived in France, Uruguay, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Arizona.

Elizabeth earned her undergraduate degree in English from Northern Arizona University, her master’s from the University of Montana, and in 1963, her doctorate from the University of Washington.

In 1966, she joined the English faculty at the University of North Dakota where she taught composition and literature. She also founded and published the Plainswoman literary journal and helped establish the annual UND Writers Conference. Elizabeth’s published research on the diaries and letters written by American pioneer women highlighted the intrinsic value of these personal stories, and in doing so, gave them historical and literary legitimacy.

Elizabeth also deeply valued her local Grand Forks community and was integral to the launch and establishment of a long-running food co-op, an alternative school, a childcare program, and a scholarship fund.

After she retired from the university, Elizabeth moved to Uruguay where she continued to support her local community by organizing writing and storytelling workshops, translating books, and teaching wool spinning, knitting, and English. Many of her neighbors became dear, close friends. Although she never took to maté, she did tango on occasion.

In both Uruguay and North Dakota, Elizabeth was an avid reader and writer, and she thoroughly enjoyed working in her garden, making weekly fresh bread, and riding her bicycle everywhere. In 2018, she moved to Seattle to be closer to family.

Elizabeth is survived by her sister Felicia (Ian) of Cambridge UK; her children Sarah (Richard) of West Virginia, Stephen (Jennifer) of Washington, Andrew (Elaine) of Italy, Mary Ann (Michael) of Texas, and David of North Carolina; her ten grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, and her brothers Charles and Francis.

In lieu of the usual commemorations, please consider donating your old family letters and photos to your local or university library. They’ll take care of them.