Ida Stover Eisenhower

Ida Elizabeth Stover Eisenhower was born on May 1, 1862, in Mount Sidney, Virginia. She was the only daughter of Elizabeth Ida Judah Link (1822–1867) and Simon P. Stover (1822–1873). Baptized at the Salem Lutheran Church in Mount Sidney, her initial name recorded was "Elizabeth Juda." Following her mother's death when she was five years old, she lived with her maternal grandparents, William and Esther Black Link, until their deaths, after which she was raised by her maternal uncle and aunt, William J. Link and Susan Cook Link, at their farm.

Her education was limited during her childhood due to her guardians' beliefs, which discouraged secular education for girls. She was eventually permitted to complete high school, graduating at age 19. At age 21, she moved to Kansas with two of her brothers, where she taught for two years before enrolling at Lane University in Lecompton, Kansas. It was during her time at Lane University that she met her future husband, David Jacob Eisenhower, on September 23, 1885. David was a college-educated engineer, but the family faced financial difficulties.

In the 1890s, Eisenhower left the River Brethren Christian group and joined the International Bible Students, which later became Jehovah's Witnesses. The Eisenhower household served as a meeting hall for the Bible Students from 1896 to 1915, though her children, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, were not members of the movement.

Ida Elizabeth Stover Eisenhower and David Jacob Eisenhower had seven sons: Arthur Bradford Eisenhower (1886–1958), Edgar Newton Eisenhower (1889–1971), Dwight David Eisenhower (1890–1969), Roy Jacob Eisenhower (1892–1942), Paul Dawson Eisenhower (1894–1895), Earl Dewey Eisenhower (1898–1968), and Milton Stover Eisenhower (1899–1985). Her children pursued various careers and lived in different states, with some remaining in Kansas.

Eisenhower was a lifelong pacifist; her son Dwight's decision to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was a source of concern for her. She believed warfare was "rather wicked," although she did not oppose her son's choice.

Her husband David died in 1942 after a prolonged illness. Subsequently, her middle son Roy died suddenly at the age of 49, within months of her husband's death. After these losses, her longtime friend Naomi Engle moved in with her to serve as a caretaker and companion. During Dwight Eisenhower's military career and his leadership during World War II, he was unable to visit her until 1944.

In 1945, Ida Elizabeth Stover Eisenhower was honored as Kansas Mother of the Year. Dwight Eisenhower remarked on her character, describing her as a worker, administrator, teacher, and guide, emphasizing her faith, selflessness, and consideration for others.

She passed away on September 11, 1946, leaving a legacy as the mother of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and other prominent individuals.