Eleanor (Dorrum) Haines was born July 9, 1915 to Ingebret and Anna (Christiansen) Dorrum in Fergus Falls, MN. She graduated from Luther College in 1937 and earned an M.A. in music from the University of Iowa in 1941. She also studied music at Julliard. Haines taught music in Iowa public schools before serving as a professor of music at Kearney State Teacher's College in Kearney, Nebraska, 1943-1957. She taught voice at Luther College 1959-1967, then taught music at South Winneshiek High School in Calmar, Iowa.

She married Robert L. Haines on August 1, 1946, with whom she had two sons. Eleanor Haines passed away January 27, 1990 in Decorah, Iowa.

Obituary, Decorah Journal,  Feb. 1, 1990, Vol. 126 Is. 5

"Eastern Star Resident of the Month," Decorah Public Opinion, March 13, 1984, Vol.89, Is. 11