Gene Fenderson, labor leader, progressive activist and fierce warrior for social justice, died June 30, 2020.
Eugene Alden Fenderson was born February 28, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska to Dean and Bessie Fenderson. He spent his early years living in Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota. During his childhood, Gene worked as a farm laborer to help support his mother and family. He dropped out of school after the 9th Grade and took various jobs in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before moving to Omaha is search of better employment.
There he landed a job at the smelter owned by the American Smelting and Refining Company. Gene joined the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, and began his journey as a trade unionist; a calling and a cause that would define and inform the rest of his life. Possessed with leadership skills and a keen understanding of the needs of workers and the vital role unions played to ensure fair wages and working conditions, Gene was elected Shop Steward at the ripe old age of 20. The job placed him at the forefront of the complex and often adversarial relationship between corporate management and labor. Recognizing his talent, Gene held several positions of increasing responsibility while working for “Mine Mill.”
Gene married his high school sweetheart Susan Galliher, and together they raised three children, Christine Ann, Peter Frank and Michele Marie. At the urging of several union friends, Gene and Susan moved to Montana in 1971, settling in Lump Gulch outside of Clancy. They divorced in 1982.
Gene worked as a journeyman union carpenter for several years before serving Governor Tom Judge as the first Chief of Labor Relations under the newly passed Public Employees Collective Bargaining Act. While in that position, Gene was integral in developing the Blue Collar Pay Plan, which remains part of state government to this day.
Gene joined the Laborers International Union in 1979 when he was elected Business Representative of Laborers Local 254. He served as Business Manager until 1997 when he took on the role as President of the Montana District Council of Laborers full time. In this position, he guided the three Montana locals into a consolidated statewide local. Throughout this time, Gene also represented workers on health insurance and retirement trusts.
Gene’s move to Montana coincided with the emerging progressive political renaissance best exemplified by the passage of the 1972 Montana Constitution. He was an integral presence in the political arm of the labor movement and Democratic politics. Gene was instrumental in the founding of the Montana Committee for an Effective Legislature, a groundbreaking organization charged with electing progressives to the Montana House and Senate. He also managed Dorothy Bradley’s campaign for Congress in 1978.
Gene was at the forefront of two of the seminal events in contemporary Montana labor history: strikes over union recognition of nurses at Missoula Community Hospital and the fight against non-union construction of the Haynes natural gas pipeline by the Montana Power Company. Both were prolonged, contentious and controversial. They were also victories for organized labor.
Besides the union movement and progressive politics, there was one other all-consuming love and passion in Gene’s life: Sue Bartlett. Married in 1984, they shared and supported one another in their exceptional political carriers. Theirs was a truly equal and collaborative partnership founded on enduring love and mutual respect. For 33 years they fought side by side in the cause of women’s rights, workers’ rights and a fair shake for every American.
In retirement, Gene and Sue split their time between Helena and Tucson, AZ. They never wavered in their commitment to the goals and ideals for a more just and equitable society. They remained very involved in progressive and Democratic Party politics. Both served as delegates to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Sue died on September 11, 2017. It was the greatest loss of Gene’s life.
Besides his children, Gene is survived by his grandchildren Sophie, Benjamin, Tanner, Dante, Carmine, Brichele, and Mark Eugene, and great-grandchildren Ethan and Aurora, his brother in law, Donn Bartlett (wife, Dorothy Bartlett), and his two nieces, Amy Rosenleaf (husband, Don Ankney) and Becky Bey (husband, Eric Bey).
For nearly a half century Gene Fenderson was one of the great – if at times unsung – heroes of the Montana progressive movement. He not only talked the talk; he walked the walk. Never afraid to speak truth to power, his commitment to social justice came at a significant cost: to his family, health and professional advancement. Born in poverty, forged in the crucible of the trade union movement, Gene was not overly concerned with accolades or material possessions. Fighting for human dignity, social and economic justice was his moral commitment and life’s work.
A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at 10:30a.m., Monday August 16, 2021, at the Laborer’s Local #1686 Headquarters and Training Center, 3100 Horseshoe Bend, Helena, with a luncheon to follow. Contributions in Gene’s memory may be given to The Vernie Reed Memorial Scholarship Fund benefiting Local Laborer’s (LiUNA) Union members and their children/grandchildren in the Northwest Region (W. Vernie Reed Memorial Fund, 12101 Tukwila International Blvd., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98168) http://www.nwliuna.org/scholarship; or the Helena Food Share ,https://helenafoodshare.org/ or at P.O. Box 943, Helena, MT 59624.
Gene Fenderson’s death is a loss for the underprivileged, neglected and powerless for whom he tirelessly fought. He will be remembered. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Gene.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m.
Monday August 16, 2021
Laborer's Local #1686 Headquarters and Training Center
3100 Horseshoe Bend
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Monday August 16, 2021
Laborer's Local #1686 Headquarters and Training Center
3100 Horseshoe Bend
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m.
Monday August 16, 2021
Laborer's Local #1686 Headquarters and Training Center
3100 Horseshoe Bend
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Monday August 16, 2021
Laborer's Local #1686 Headquarters and Training Center
3100 Horseshoe Bend
Helena, Montana 59602
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Doris Romanisko says
Meeting Gene 38 years ago was an enlightening experience for me. His actions benefitted so many people, especially the inclusion of women in the trades. He will be sorely missed. Joining his Operating Engineers counterparts, I am sure they are still negotiating working and living conditions for all of us. In solidarity, Doris.
Patti Prinkki Keebler says
Thank you for recording history if a great man that needs to be remembered. He was the labor movement’s moral conscience. When the chips were down, you could count on Gene to stand and speak up. He was never afraid yet understood if you were. He never turned down a request for help or support. He is Solidarity Forever.
john ilgenfritz says
An insightful remembrance of a life well lived. My first memories of Gene was while stuffing envelopes at the labor hall on behalf of a Democratic candidate, Max Baucus or Pat Williams back in the day when the non-smoking section was at one end of a couple long tables and the smoking area at the other end. Lots of pizza, camaraderie and stories; good memories of both Gene and Sue. Gene was the State Committeeman for the Lewis & Clark Central Committee and Sue, State Committeewoman for several years. He always said what needed to be said, when it was most needed.
Not long ago, Gene passed along a strip of bright orange VOTE “AGAINST SALES TAX”, he reminded me that one never knew when the campaign would need to be fired up again! Whatever awaits us out there, I’m sure Gene and Sue will be organizing on behalf of the disenfranchised. Yes, Solidarity Forever.
Monica Abbott says
I was fortunate to get to know Gene and Sue because of my sister who also worked in the labor movement. I enjoyed the projects I worked with them on over the years. They were responsible for so many good things in Montana because they both loved the state. They will be missed by those of us fortunate to know them but at least Gene is back with Sue now.
Butch Plowman says
The world is poorer. We lost a giant worthy of emulation.
John C. Board says
Gene was a good friend and a kind man. It may be quaint to say it, bur I believe that Gene died as the result of a broken heart.
Carol juneau says
So sorry to hear of Genes passing. My husband and I shared a space at the demo convention with Gene and Sue and had a lot of fun and politics. Also I will remember Gene helping the Native American Caucus at the state legislature when we had a press conference outlining all our unsuccessful bills. Gene helped make “Rest In Peace” grave markers to help with our visual display for the press conference. He and Sue taught me a lot about politics. They were good people.
Karl Englund says
One of the best I’ve ever had the privilege to meet and work with. I am deeply saddened by his passing.
Laura Lee Hughes says
I was fortunate to have had Gene as one of my first mentors. As a Business Manager of the Billings laborers local we worked together on a multitude of projects and I assisted him in the Haynes Pipeline campaign from Billings.
He supported me in everything I attempted including my failed run for President of the AFL-CIO. He was a champion of supporting and aiding women in leadership positions.
We met again several times after I became the International rep for the laborers in the N West region to work on pipeline projects and I got to see how happy and in love he and Sue were.
He was indeed a warrior who mostly went unsung and will be sorely missed for his knowledge, wisdom and empathy.
Russ Doty says
I did not know him well, but always felt he had my back and was honored to have his support.
Kathy A. van Hook says
How could I have missed the passing of one of my true heroes? So sad to learn of Gene’s departure. When I became a union organizer in the early 70’s, I met Gene. He was always a Nobel guide, a true friend, and faithfully looked out for me when the intent of others was not in my best interest. Over the years, he and Sue remained true friends and the gap left by their absence is deep and wide. Farewell dear Gene. Love, Kathy
Bill Bentley says
It’s always sad to see when a labor leader and a champion for workers rights passes. Many people young and old forget how such things as overtime, a standard work week, OSHA, and worker’s compensation came to be. It was because organized labor pushed such issues and many others that many take for granted to this day. I just hope the younger generations study history and not let the sacrifices others made disappear. I knew Sue better than Gene but they both stood for a common goal, workers rights, and decency. It’s sad to see union membership decreasing all across the United States. People go for the quick buck and forget about benefits and their rights. Hopefully, the efforts of such people like Gene will be carried on. RIP .
Claudia Clifford says
This is a sad passing of a gentle giant of the labor movement and progressive politics. Gene was a morally dedicated soul and inspiration. He left his mark on Montana so may he Rest In Peace.
Jody Papandrew says
Dear Sophie, Byron, Ethan, Aurora,
Wow! Your grandfather/great grandfather led an amazing life. I am thinking of you all and sending love.
♥️🧡💛💚💙💜
Jim Ahrens says
Sue-My condolences to you and other family members. Gene stood strong for what he believed in and I really admired that. In my 30 of lobbying I saw him any times in the capital. May he rest in peace!!
Nancy Harte says
So sorry to learn of Gene’s passing. He was always a reliable source of advice and history, and will be greatly missed. Gene and Sue were one of the original “power couples” and both had a tremendous positive impact on my life. Glad they are together again.
Kevin Mt-1 Collins says
It was always nice to see Gene when back in Helena, the earlie years stopping by the Hall looking for work, He always wanted to know where I had been! Rest In Peace , Just a Good man.
Lewis S Robinson III says
I just now (Oct 2020) discovered that Gene was no longer with us, so I’m compelled to write a few words relative to why this man meant so much to me. Gene and I first met when we served on the Governor’s Council for Economic Development during Governor Ted Schwinden’s administration. When I bought, via a land exchange with the Forest Service, 163 acres and developed The Madison Addition to the Town of West Yellowstone, many members of Gene’s Laborers Union worked on that job.
When I subsequently bought 87 acres from Union Pacific in 1990 at the entrance to Yellowstone Park for what is now known as the Grizzly Park Addition to the Town of West Yellowstone, Gene came to my rescue. I had the land but back then you couldn’t borrow a dime from a bank for a cup of coffee, much less a major commercial development. Gene and the Laborers International Union of North America loaned me and my partner the money, not only for all the infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, etc.), but they also financed the construction of the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, as well as the Yellowstone IMAX Theater. The rest is history.
In honor of this man and his organization, I joined the Union, which had to be approved by the then Union President in Washington, since no developer had ever done so before, or so I was told at the time. I was a card-carrying member for many years, paying my regular monthly dues. just like the rest of my brothers. To say this man meant the world to me would be an understatement – he simply was the best, bar none.
Tom Boland says
If I ever found myself in a foxhole with bullets flying , Gene would be high on my list for my left flank .
I never had to spend more than a few seconds on the phone persuading Gene why I needed his help with this or that campaign of a progressive candidate for public office . With Gene it was baked it . the struggle for social justice of all stripes was not bean bags , still isnt.
He’ll be sorely missed . Tom Boland