Wilmetta "Willie" Irene Gideon, 76, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Wilmetta was born on April 22, 1942, in WaKeeney, Kansas, the daughter of John W. and Pauline (Rohn) Dietz.  She grew up in the Trego County and WaKeeney area and graduated from Trego Community High School in the class of 1960.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Glenn Gideon on September 09, 1960, in Hays, Kansas, and they moved to Russell, Kansas, in 1962.  From this union Wilmetta and Glenn were blessed with 3 daughters Donna, Doris and Cheryl.  She worked at Baxter Labs, United Telephone and worked as a bank teller at the Russell State Bank and United National Bank (Southwind Bank)  for 23 years and retired in 2005.  Her favorite job was fulltime wife, mother and homemaker for her loving family.  She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and volunteered at the Russell Hospital Auxiliary.  She enjoyed cooking, sewing, cake decorating and catering, flower gardening, bingo and working with crafts.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and watching them play in sporting events. 

Surviving family include her husband of 58 years Glenn Gideon of the home, three daughters Donna Bauer of Burlington, Kansas, Doris Jackson & husband Keith of Topeka, Kansas and Cheryl Prester & husband Brad of Russell, Kansas; brother Delmar Dietz and wife Diane of WaKeeney, Kansas; 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Ernest and Alvin Dietz, sister Frieda Mohr and son in-law Bill Bauer.

A celebration of Wilmetta's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis Officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 A. M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at the mortuary with the family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening.   Memorials may be given to St John Lutheran Church or Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.