Edna Grace Haines died on April 30 in Burns.

She was born on Oct. 7, 1911, in Seattle, Wash., to Bob and Grace (Tabler) Dougall.

Haines first moved to Oregon with her grandmother, Annie Dougall, when she was 3 1/2 years old. Her parents joined them at the homestead in Happy Valley, near Diamond, a while later.  She attended elementary school at Princeton.

After graduating from high school in Seattle, she and her parents moved back to Harney County, when they purchased the Princeton Post Office in 1931.  Haines graduated from teacher’s college in Monmouth and returned to the area and taught at the Sodhouse School for seven years.

On Oct. 6, 1934, she married Marcus Haines of Sodhouse at the Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Burns.  Two daughters, Nancy and Susan were born while they were living at the Malheur Refuge, where her husband was employed. In 1945, they purchased a ranch west of the refuge headquarters and began raising Hereford cattle. They built a new house in 1950.

During the early years of their marriage, Haines, her husband and Harold Hill played music for local dances. She played the piano accordion, her husband was the guitarist, with Harold Hill on the drums. They had a lot of fun.

She worked as a substitute teacher at Sodhouse School several different times when the current teacher left for one reason or another. She served as director on the Sodhouse School Board, school budget board and as representative to the County School Board Association.

Haines was an ordained elder of the Pioneer Presbyterian church, serving both the church in Burns and assisting various mobile ministers. She organized one of the first rural Sunday schools in the county and continued to be in charge of this program for many years as teacher and pianist. She taught adult bible study classes at Sodhouse and Burns.

Local children, as well as several from the Diamond area, benefited from Haines’ expertise as an accomplished pianist. For several years she spent much time teaching eager budding musicians. After moving to Burns in 1979, she resumed her piano teaching career.

Haines was active in the Sodhouse Home Extension unit as hostess and teacher. Many bridal and baby showers were hosted at her home. She was also an active member of the Harney County Cowbelles (CattleWomen). As an executive officer, she helped start the college scholarship fund for agriculture and home economics students.

Haines, along with several others, were instrumental in securing TV for their community. She canvassed the community for the Red Cross, Cancer Fund, Easter Seals or any other worthy cause.

Suffering from depression and with no local help available, she was instrumental in starting and leading small therapy groups for others who suffered from the same malady. Haines was chairperson of the Harney Mental Health Council, the 10-Year Planning Committee and also was a member of the State Council to Coordinate Mental Health service in Eastern Oregon. She received the meritorious service award from this organization in 1970 for her interest in working for better mental health service in Harney County.

For all of her volunteer work, Haines was honored as Harney County Woman of the Year in 1969.
Knitting was another of her favorite activities, and family members received many beautiful garments. She led a 4-H knitting club for her daughters.

After selling their ranch in 1979 and moving to Burns, she and her husband both kept active by their involvement with the Pioneer Presbyterian Church and Harney County Historical society. Haines was secretary for that organization for several years. They enjoyed attending school activities, sports and 4-H events in which their grandkids participated.

Reading a good book — a mystery, a biography or history was one of Haines’ favorite pastimes. She always was pleased to receive a phone call from her daughters informing her of a dog show on Animal Planet. She owned several dogs and cats throughout the years. Her last cat, Sparky, brought her a lot of pleasure and grief.

Haines was always a great cook and gracious hostess, serving many delectable meals to a multitude of guests. She enjoyed setting an attractive table using her apple pattern Franciscan ware pottery. Sourdough fruit cakes, pancakes, and biscuits were among her specialties.

Her husband died suddenly in 1993, and Haines continued to live in her own home, with a few months spent at local foster homes. Later, part-time and then full-time help was required to enable her to stay at home. However, after her health declined in January 2006 she moved to Dutch Apple foster home, where she resided until her death.

Haines is survived by her daughters, Nancy Williams and husband Terry and Susan O’Toole and husband Pat; grandchildren, Marc O’Toole and wife, Polly, Travis Williams and wife, Linda, all of Drewsey, and Diane Willson and husband, Aaron of Pinedale, Wyo.; and great-grandchildren, Emilee, Thomas, John and Sadie O’Toole, Josh, Tanya and Sam Williams, and Ruthee, Calleb and Wylee Willson of Pinedale.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marcus; and granddaughter, Micki Walker.
On May 4, funeral services were held at the Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Burns and were conducted by Pastor Baron Tracy of Drewsey. Music was provided by Dick Jenkins and Linda Greenfield. Travis Williams presented the eulogy. Internment was at Burns Cemetery.

Contributions in Haines’ memory may be made to Harney County Hospice or Presbyterian Church, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.