Limited germplasm is available for a newly established NDSU hard red winter wheat breeding program. Therefore, a diverse pre-breeding base population was produced to broaden genetic variability through recurrent mass selection. A complex cross that involved approximately 150 diverse genotypes contained within five parental populations was used to incorporate the genetic male sterility gene, Ms3, plus a wide range of native and exotic disease resistance and adaptation genes. Phenotypic evaluations confirmed the presence of genes for resistance to leaf and stem rust, tan spot and Stagonospora nodorum blotch in the final base population. Markers specifically identified resistance genes Lr19/Sr25, Lr21, Lr24/Sr24, Lr34, Lr37, Sr2, and Sr50, yet could not detect Fhb1. An analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms across the parental and hybrid genotypes indicated high diversity within the final base population. This population will be used to develop cold-hardy breeding parents with effective resistance against major diseases in North Dakota.