Iris "Janet" Nelson, age 92, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and cherished memories.

She was born in Markham, Texas, to Bill and Gladys Graham. At the age of 10, she moved to Richland, Washington, with her parents and two sisters, Barbara and Yvonne. Richland played an important role in her early life, where she graduated from Richland High School at just 16 years old — a testament to her intelligence, determination, and strong work ethic.

At only 17, Jan began working for General Electric, marking the start of a long and successful career. She later worked for Battelle as a Benefits Manager and retired in 1989. While working at GE, she met the love of her life, Jimmie Nelson, and they were married in 1952.

In 1954, Jan and her husband, Jim, moved to Kennewick, Washington, where they built the home, she lovingly lived in for the rest of her life. That home became the heart of their family — a place filled with laughter, traditions, and countless memories spanning generations.

Together, Jan and Jim shared a love of travel and enjoyed making memories both near and far. They also cherished simple routines, including frequent dinners at Hill's Restaurant, which held a special place in their hearts.

Family was the center of her world. She took the title of Grandma seriously and played an instrumental role in raising her granddaughters, Jamie and Britnie, caring for them while their parents worked and filling their childhood with love, stability, and endless summers spent by her pool.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jimmie "Jim" Nelson, who passed away in 2007, as well as her parents, Bill and Gladys Graham.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Jacqui (Billy) Sliger; her son, Jeffrey (Linda) Nelson; her two sisters, Barbara New and Yvonne Houser; her granddaughters, Jamie (Mark) Rogers and Britnie (Cody) Ryan; four great-grandchildren; and extended family who will forever cherish her memory.

She will be remembered for her kindness, strength, devotion to family, and the lasting impact she made on all who knew her.

An intimate celebration of life will be held at a later date with her immediate family. Private inurnment will be handled by Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Kennewick.