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Eleanor Louise Suess was born April 4, 1912, in McCook, Nebraska to Louis and Ethel Suess. She grew up in McCook, where DeGroff’s “department store” was managed by her father. Eleanor graduated from McCook High School, then was among McCook Junior College’s third graduating class. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, majoring in music education and minoring in history. After graduating, she was hired as school music supervisor in Bayard, Nebraska, where she taught for two years. She then ventured east to attend theThe Julliard School (of Music) and Columbia University in New York City, where she received a Master’s degree in music education.

In 1935, Eleanor met John T. Harris (from Opelika, Alabama) in New York City. They were married in Auburn, Alabama on April 9, 1936. Despite challenging economic times, they kept the Harris family farm in Opelika, Alabama going with a combination of hard work and ingenuity. In 1945, they moved to McCook, where John T. became manager of DeGroff’s and the family cattle ranch and feedlot.

While raising six sons, Eleanor still had energy to contribute on behalf of her home town. She co-founded the McCook Community College Foundation and developed McCook’s first history museum (leading to the creation of the High Plains Historical Society). She helped spark a community orchestra and chorus, and the implementation of orchestra in the McCook School system. The community enjoyed her skilled playing of violin and piano for many decades. Eleanor also contributed years of service to the Nebraska Arts Council (including a role as vice-chairwoman) and the Mid-America Arts Alliance, a six state organization.

During retirement years spent in Nebraska and at the family farm in Alabama, Eleanor and John T. traveled the U.S. and the world. During that time, they initiated and helped develop the Museum of East Alabama in Opelika. The girl from the Great Plains now lives on the “Plains of Auburn,” enjoying numerous activities and frequent visits from loving sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Eleanor will be 100 years old on April 4th, 2012, a life exemplifying her own creed, “Day by day, in every way, better and better.”