Janet Nadine Gideon was born on June 19, 1944, in Dumas, Texas to Willis and Barbara Cole. She was the third of four children. Shortly after she was born the family moved to Eunice, New Mexico, where she grew up, attended school, and graduated. After graduation, her family moved to Milton Freewater, Oregon and Janet decided to attend school at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. It was here that she would meet the love of her life, James Gideon.

According to the family legend, James showed up to take her roommate out on a date and took Janet instead. They were married on September 5th, 1964, and had four children, Debra, Shauna, Robert, and Cheryl.

While Janet had many part time jobs, she was mainly a homemaker who sewed clothing and costumes for the children and baked the best pecan rolls. She was creative and crafty. She made candles and painted ceramics. A very special memory is when she would make huge, heart shaped, sugar cookies decorated with her children's names for Valentine's Day.

She loved Elvis and even in her later years could be found dancing to his music in her wheelchair. She was very patriotic and volunteered with a group called ACES that sent care packages to the troops and welcomed them home at the airport.

She was also a volunteer for the Kennewick Police Department with CHIPS, Citizens Helping In Police Services, where she could be found at Cooper's Corner in the mall, the mail run, the camel run, and at many community events.

She is survived by her daughter Debbie (Russ), her daughter Shauna (Don), her son Robert (Amber), her daughter Cheryl (Fred), 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, her brother Norman (Evelyn), and many nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her mother, Barbara Cole, her husband, James Gideon Jr, her father, Willis Cole, her brother Melvin Cole, and her twin granddaughters, Brianna and Alexis.