Gene McLennan was born in Clyde, ND, the daughter of Malcolm and Lucille McLennan. She received her education in Hoople Schools.
Gene married Joe Rutherford in 1935 in Grafton, ND. They lived and farmed in Drayton, ND. She owned Rutherford Ceramics and she taught art classes in their farm home for 20 years, where she had a kiln in the basement and a room for her classes.
They wintered in Phoenix for several years.
Gene passed away at the Valley Memorial Homes Eldercare Center in Grand Forks. She was 81 years old.
Services were held at the Tollefson Funeral Chapel in Grafton, ND, Wilfred Goecke and LeRoy Sandford officiating. Leona Rutherford was the organist and Ben Brosseau was the soloist. Pallbearers were Jon and Jim Brosseau, Gary Rutherford, Wade Gjevre, John Van Camp, and Keith Brown.