Born as Ella Berendt on April 22, 1901, in Sioux City, Iowa, Eleanor Jarman was one of twelve children. She married Michael Roy Jarman, with whom she had two children, LeRoy and LaVerne. The family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where Michael eventually abandoned them. To support her children, Eleanor worked primarily as a waitress. ​

In Chicago, Jarman became involved with George Dale, a known criminal. On August 4, 1933, Jarman, Dale, and accomplice Leo Minneci attempted to rob a clothing store owned by Gustav Hoeh. During the robbery, Dale shot and killed Hoeh. All three were apprehended shortly after the incident. Despite Dale being the triggerman, Jarman was convicted as an accomplice and sentenced to 199 years in prison. Dale received the death penalty and was executed in 1934. ​

Jarman was incarcerated at the Dwight Correctional Center in Illinois. On August 8, 1940, after serving seven years, she escaped and managed to evade capture. She maintained clandestine communication with her family through classified ads and secret meetings, with the last known contact occurring in the mid-1970s. Her ultimate fate remains unknown, and she is presumed deceased. ​