Rev. LauraGrace Eisenhower was born LauraGrace Shaw in a frame house built by her father and grandfather on Longview Avenue in Phoenix, AZ. Though most of her elementary school years were spent in Winkelman, on returning to Phoenix, she graduated from Creighton Elementary, Phoenix Union High, and Phoenix Junior College. In 1939, she received a B.A. degree from the University of Arizona, with a major in Education and minors in English and Music. At the University of Arizona, she was soloist in the College Choir and had lead roles in both the Mikado and Iolanthe.
In the fall of 1938, she became engaged to William Eisenhower. They married in May 1941 while he was a student at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Before marrying, LauraGrace taught Elementary School in Buckeye, AZ., and after their marriage, taught in Delhi, Lemoore, and Bakersfield, CA., where William held pastorates.
LauraGrace took a break from teaching when their children arrived, five within seven years (6 yrs, 2 mos, 11 days). At the same time the children were being born, Northminster Church in Bakersfield was also being born, and the manse became the first meeting place, with classes in every room except the bathroom! It was many years before the manse was no longer needed for at least one class, because the church's building program was never able to keep ahead of its rapid growth, from zero to over 500 members. Dr. William Eisenhower was its Founding Pastor, and remained there the rest of his life, almost twenty years.
When her husband died in double-bypass surgery in 1967, LauraGrace had already begun to teach again in public school (7th and 8th grade English), which she continued to do until the five children were almost through college. She had also begun to take Fuller Seminary courses by extension. In 1976, she retired from teaching and became a full-time student at Fuller, Pasadena. In 1977, she transferred to San Francisco Theological Seminary, from which she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1978. She was ordained in 1979, at the age of 62, at First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix. Her major interest had been in Christian Ethics.
After graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1978, she became the first woman ever to be examined by the San Joaquin (CA) Presbytery and the first woman to be ordained to serve as Pastor in Grand Canyon (AZ) Presbytery. She served as Associate Pastor at Historic First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, for eight and a half years; Minister of Visitation at Trinity, Prescott; followed by interim pastorates in Artesia, NM, and Exeter, Taft, and Bakersfield, CA, becoming Parish Associate at Northminster, Bakersfield in the mid-1990s.
While at Phoenix she made over 5000 calls on the hospitalized, the "shut-ins," and the elderly of the congregation, and probably another 1000 at Prescott. All her interim positions have been as Senior Pastor with responsibilities commensurate with the position. In all churches, however, she was given added responsibilities in the total life of the church, from Christian Education to intergenerational activities, to choir directing, and to initiating and directing special events, pageants, organizing Bible displays, etc.
LauraGrace served on several Presbytery committees, many of which she chaired. In an ecumenical capacity she was active in Phoenix Central Corridor Churches, and served one year as their president. As an ardent supporter of the pro-life movement, she became the founder of the Presbyterian Pro-Life chapter in Arizona, and served as a member of the national board of Presbyterians Pro-Life.
Her children have all been outstanding students, and have won special honors in music and drama. All five are college graduates, and four have advanced degrees. Because of her children's accomplishments, LauraGrace was entered in the 'Mother of the Year' Contest in California in 1975. Out of hundreds of contestants, she was one of the eight finalists. For this, she was named a California Merit Mother, with a Certificate from the California Senate.
Other than parenting and ministering, among her major interests, LauraGrace names singing, writing, and composing. She sang with the Shaw Sisters' Trio on KOY radio from 1939-1941. Nativity Pageants, which she wrote, composed, and directed for years, were a favorite; and her music drama, In Ye Name of God, Amen! received the Freedom Foundation Award in 1982.
Finally, many will remember LauraGrace for her ready and gracious hospitality. There was always an extra place at the table for Sunday afternoon dinners (weekly formal dining) an extra bed, and an extra seat in the car. She hosted church clubs, youth groups, and staff as often as she hosted family birthdays, holidays, and other special celebrations. Always ready for another family reunion, she hosted, planned, or attended every event. Her love for family remained foremost in her heart all the years of her life.
She lived with a song in her heart, because "God's promises are for real, and he has blessed me beyond measure."
She is survived by her children: Will (Nancy) Eisenhower, Lauralyn (Rob) Kolb, Elise (Mark Bern) Eisenhower, Christel (Tony) Biasell, and Phil Eisenhower; grandchildren: Phil (Kathy), Lara, Jeffrey (Jennifer), David (Katrina), Arthur, Alexandra, Simon (Natasha), Taylor (David), and Hillary (Adam); six great grandchildren: Jack, Ben, Paloma, Pax, Josiah, and Avery; and siblings: Elvira Lassey, Edith Allers, and Clarence Shaw.
The memorial service will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Bakersfield, California, in mid-June, date and time to be announced, with the Reverend Rob Dalrymple officiating. Burial at Greenlawn Cemetery will follow the service.
(Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home webpage, Waynesboro VA)
In the fall of 1938, she became engaged to William Eisenhower. They married in May 1941 while he was a student at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Before marrying, LauraGrace taught Elementary School in Buckeye, AZ., and after their marriage, taught in Delhi, Lemoore, and Bakersfield, CA., where William held pastorates.
LauraGrace took a break from teaching when their children arrived, five within seven years (6 yrs, 2 mos, 11 days). At the same time the children were being born, Northminster Church in Bakersfield was also being born, and the manse became the first meeting place, with classes in every room except the bathroom! It was many years before the manse was no longer needed for at least one class, because the church's building program was never able to keep ahead of its rapid growth, from zero to over 500 members. Dr. William Eisenhower was its Founding Pastor, and remained there the rest of his life, almost twenty years.
When her husband died in double-bypass surgery in 1967, LauraGrace had already begun to teach again in public school (7th and 8th grade English), which she continued to do until the five children were almost through college. She had also begun to take Fuller Seminary courses by extension. In 1976, she retired from teaching and became a full-time student at Fuller, Pasadena. In 1977, she transferred to San Francisco Theological Seminary, from which she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1978. She was ordained in 1979, at the age of 62, at First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix. Her major interest had been in Christian Ethics.
After graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1978, she became the first woman ever to be examined by the San Joaquin (CA) Presbytery and the first woman to be ordained to serve as Pastor in Grand Canyon (AZ) Presbytery. She served as Associate Pastor at Historic First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, for eight and a half years; Minister of Visitation at Trinity, Prescott; followed by interim pastorates in Artesia, NM, and Exeter, Taft, and Bakersfield, CA, becoming Parish Associate at Northminster, Bakersfield in the mid-1990s.
While at Phoenix she made over 5000 calls on the hospitalized, the "shut-ins," and the elderly of the congregation, and probably another 1000 at Prescott. All her interim positions have been as Senior Pastor with responsibilities commensurate with the position. In all churches, however, she was given added responsibilities in the total life of the church, from Christian Education to intergenerational activities, to choir directing, and to initiating and directing special events, pageants, organizing Bible displays, etc.
LauraGrace served on several Presbytery committees, many of which she chaired. In an ecumenical capacity she was active in Phoenix Central Corridor Churches, and served one year as their president. As an ardent supporter of the pro-life movement, she became the founder of the Presbyterian Pro-Life chapter in Arizona, and served as a member of the national board of Presbyterians Pro-Life.
Her children have all been outstanding students, and have won special honors in music and drama. All five are college graduates, and four have advanced degrees. Because of her children's accomplishments, LauraGrace was entered in the 'Mother of the Year' Contest in California in 1975. Out of hundreds of contestants, she was one of the eight finalists. For this, she was named a California Merit Mother, with a Certificate from the California Senate.
Other than parenting and ministering, among her major interests, LauraGrace names singing, writing, and composing. She sang with the Shaw Sisters' Trio on KOY radio from 1939-1941. Nativity Pageants, which she wrote, composed, and directed for years, were a favorite; and her music drama, In Ye Name of God, Amen! received the Freedom Foundation Award in 1982.
Finally, many will remember LauraGrace for her ready and gracious hospitality. There was always an extra place at the table for Sunday afternoon dinners (weekly formal dining) an extra bed, and an extra seat in the car. She hosted church clubs, youth groups, and staff as often as she hosted family birthdays, holidays, and other special celebrations. Always ready for another family reunion, she hosted, planned, or attended every event. Her love for family remained foremost in her heart all the years of her life.
She lived with a song in her heart, because "God's promises are for real, and he has blessed me beyond measure."
She is survived by her children: Will (Nancy) Eisenhower, Lauralyn (Rob) Kolb, Elise (Mark Bern) Eisenhower, Christel (Tony) Biasell, and Phil Eisenhower; grandchildren: Phil (Kathy), Lara, Jeffrey (Jennifer), David (Katrina), Arthur, Alexandra, Simon (Natasha), Taylor (David), and Hillary (Adam); six great grandchildren: Jack, Ben, Paloma, Pax, Josiah, and Avery; and siblings: Elvira Lassey, Edith Allers, and Clarence Shaw.
The memorial service will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Bakersfield, California, in mid-June, date and time to be announced, with the Reverend Rob Dalrymple officiating. Burial at Greenlawn Cemetery will follow the service.
(Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home webpage, Waynesboro VA)
Rev. LauraGrace Eisenhower was born LauraGrace Shaw in a frame house built by her father and grandfather on Longview Avenue in Phoenix, AZ. Though most of her elementary school years were spent in Winkelman, on returning to Phoenix, she graduated from Creighton Elementary, Phoenix Union High, and Phoenix Junior College. In 1939, she received a B.A. degree from the University of Arizona, with a major in Education and minors in English and Music. At the University of Arizona, she was soloist in the College Choir and had lead roles in both the Mikado and Iolanthe.
In the fall of 1938, she became engaged to William Eisenhower. They married in May 1941 while he was a student at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Before marrying, LauraGrace taught Elementary School in Buckeye, AZ., and after their marriage, taught in Delhi, Lemoore, and Bakersfield, CA., where William held pastorates.
LauraGrace took a break from teaching when their children arrived, five within seven years (6 yrs, 2 mos, 11 days). At the same time the children were being born, Northminster Church in Bakersfield was also being born, and the manse became the first meeting place, with classes in every room except the bathroom! It was many years before the manse was no longer needed for at least one class, because the church's building program was never able to keep ahead of its rapid growth, from zero to over 500 members. Dr. William Eisenhower was its Founding Pastor, and remained there the rest of his life, almost twenty years.
When her husband died in double-bypass surgery in 1967, LauraGrace had already begun to teach again in public school (7th and 8th grade English), which she continued to do until the five children were almost through college. She had also begun to take Fuller Seminary courses by extension. In 1976, she retired from teaching and became a full-time student at Fuller, Pasadena. In 1977, she transferred to San Francisco Theological Seminary, from which she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1978. She was ordained in 1979, at the age of 62, at First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix. Her major interest had been in Christian Ethics.
After graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1978, she became the first woman ever to be examined by the San Joaquin (CA) Presbytery and the first woman to be ordained to serve as Pastor in Grand Canyon (AZ) Presbytery. She served as Associate Pastor at Historic First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, for eight and a half years; Minister of Visitation at Trinity, Prescott; followed by interim pastorates in Artesia, NM, and Exeter, Taft, and Bakersfield, CA, becoming Parish Associate at Northminster, Bakersfield in the mid-1990s.
While at Phoenix she made over 5000 calls on the hospitalized, the "shut-ins," and the elderly of the congregation, and probably another 1000 at Prescott. All her interim positions have been as Senior Pastor with responsibilities commensurate with the position. In all churches, however, she was given added responsibilities in the total life of the church, from Christian Education to intergenerational activities, to choir directing, and to initiating and directing special events, pageants, organizing Bible displays, etc.
LauraGrace served on several Presbytery committees, many of which she chaired. In an ecumenical capacity she was active in Phoenix Central Corridor Churches, and served one year as their president. As an ardent supporter of the pro-life movement, she became the founder of the Presbyterian Pro-Life chapter in Arizona, and served as a member of the national board of Presbyterians Pro-Life.
Her children have all been outstanding students, and have won special honors in music and drama. All five are college graduates, and four have advanced degrees. Because of her children's accomplishments, LauraGrace was entered in the 'Mother of the Year' Contest in California in 1975. Out of hundreds of contestants, she was one of the eight finalists. For this, she was named a California Merit Mother, with a Certificate from the California Senate.
Other than parenting and ministering, among her major interests, LauraGrace names singing, writing, and composing. She sang with the Shaw Sisters' Trio on KOY radio from 1939-1941. Nativity Pageants, which she wrote, composed, and directed for years, were a favorite; and her music drama, In Ye Name of God, Amen! received the Freedom Foundation Award in 1982.
Finally, many will remember LauraGrace for her ready and gracious hospitality. There was always an extra place at the table for Sunday afternoon dinners (weekly formal dining) an extra bed, and an extra seat in the car. She hosted church clubs, youth groups, and staff as often as she hosted family birthdays, holidays, and other special celebrations. Always ready for another family reunion, she hosted, planned, or attended every event. Her love for family remained foremost in her heart all the years of her life.
She lived with a song in her heart, because "God's promises are for real, and he has blessed me beyond measure."
She is survived by her children: Will (Nancy) Eisenhower, Lauralyn (Rob) Kolb, Elise (Mark Bern) Eisenhower, Christel (Tony) Biasell, and Phil Eisenhower; grandchildren: Phil (Kathy), Lara, Jeffrey (Jennifer), David (Katrina), Arthur, Alexandra, Simon (Natasha), Taylor (David), and Hillary (Adam); six great grandchildren: Jack, Ben, Paloma, Pax, Josiah, and Avery; and siblings: Elvira Lassey, Edith Allers, and Clarence Shaw.
The memorial service will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Bakersfield, California, in mid-June, date and time to be announced, with the Reverend Rob Dalrymple officiating. Burial at Greenlawn Cemetery will follow the service.
(Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home webpage, Waynesboro VA)
In the fall of 1938, she became engaged to William Eisenhower. They married in May 1941 while he was a student at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Before marrying, LauraGrace taught Elementary School in Buckeye, AZ., and after their marriage, taught in Delhi, Lemoore, and Bakersfield, CA., where William held pastorates.
LauraGrace took a break from teaching when their children arrived, five within seven years (6 yrs, 2 mos, 11 days). At the same time the children were being born, Northminster Church in Bakersfield was also being born, and the manse became the first meeting place, with classes in every room except the bathroom! It was many years before the manse was no longer needed for at least one class, because the church's building program was never able to keep ahead of its rapid growth, from zero to over 500 members. Dr. William Eisenhower was its Founding Pastor, and remained there the rest of his life, almost twenty years.
When her husband died in double-bypass surgery in 1967, LauraGrace had already begun to teach again in public school (7th and 8th grade English), which she continued to do until the five children were almost through college. She had also begun to take Fuller Seminary courses by extension. In 1976, she retired from teaching and became a full-time student at Fuller, Pasadena. In 1977, she transferred to San Francisco Theological Seminary, from which she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1978. She was ordained in 1979, at the age of 62, at First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix. Her major interest had been in Christian Ethics.
After graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1978, she became the first woman ever to be examined by the San Joaquin (CA) Presbytery and the first woman to be ordained to serve as Pastor in Grand Canyon (AZ) Presbytery. She served as Associate Pastor at Historic First Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, for eight and a half years; Minister of Visitation at Trinity, Prescott; followed by interim pastorates in Artesia, NM, and Exeter, Taft, and Bakersfield, CA, becoming Parish Associate at Northminster, Bakersfield in the mid-1990s.
While at Phoenix she made over 5000 calls on the hospitalized, the "shut-ins," and the elderly of the congregation, and probably another 1000 at Prescott. All her interim positions have been as Senior Pastor with responsibilities commensurate with the position. In all churches, however, she was given added responsibilities in the total life of the church, from Christian Education to intergenerational activities, to choir directing, and to initiating and directing special events, pageants, organizing Bible displays, etc.
LauraGrace served on several Presbytery committees, many of which she chaired. In an ecumenical capacity she was active in Phoenix Central Corridor Churches, and served one year as their president. As an ardent supporter of the pro-life movement, she became the founder of the Presbyterian Pro-Life chapter in Arizona, and served as a member of the national board of Presbyterians Pro-Life.
Her children have all been outstanding students, and have won special honors in music and drama. All five are college graduates, and four have advanced degrees. Because of her children's accomplishments, LauraGrace was entered in the 'Mother of the Year' Contest in California in 1975. Out of hundreds of contestants, she was one of the eight finalists. For this, she was named a California Merit Mother, with a Certificate from the California Senate.
Other than parenting and ministering, among her major interests, LauraGrace names singing, writing, and composing. She sang with the Shaw Sisters' Trio on KOY radio from 1939-1941. Nativity Pageants, which she wrote, composed, and directed for years, were a favorite; and her music drama, In Ye Name of God, Amen! received the Freedom Foundation Award in 1982.
Finally, many will remember LauraGrace for her ready and gracious hospitality. There was always an extra place at the table for Sunday afternoon dinners (weekly formal dining) an extra bed, and an extra seat in the car. She hosted church clubs, youth groups, and staff as often as she hosted family birthdays, holidays, and other special celebrations. Always ready for another family reunion, she hosted, planned, or attended every event. Her love for family remained foremost in her heart all the years of her life.
She lived with a song in her heart, because "God's promises are for real, and he has blessed me beyond measure."
She is survived by her children: Will (Nancy) Eisenhower, Lauralyn (Rob) Kolb, Elise (Mark Bern) Eisenhower, Christel (Tony) Biasell, and Phil Eisenhower; grandchildren: Phil (Kathy), Lara, Jeffrey (Jennifer), David (Katrina), Arthur, Alexandra, Simon (Natasha), Taylor (David), and Hillary (Adam); six great grandchildren: Jack, Ben, Paloma, Pax, Josiah, and Avery; and siblings: Elvira Lassey, Edith Allers, and Clarence Shaw.
The memorial service will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Bakersfield, California, in mid-June, date and time to be announced, with the Reverend Rob Dalrymple officiating. Burial at Greenlawn Cemetery will follow the service.
(Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home webpage, Waynesboro VA)
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