Janet was born in Porterville, California to Norlan and Henrietta Behrens; she has three brothers, Rollin, Daryl and David.

She was educated at Zion Lutheran School in Terra Bella, Porterville High School, Porterville College and Central California Business College in Bakersfield.

Church and music played a big part in Janet's life. She had a beautiful voice and enjoyed being the soloist at many weddings. Janet was the lead in her college's production of "Oklahoma!", and a member of the Bakersfield Master Chorale.

Janet was active in the Walther League, a church youth group, and in 1965 was
elected president of her zone. During a league function in Delano, she was introduced to George, who soon became the zone's vice-president and was making frequent weekend trips from Taft to Terra Bella on his Honda for "executive meetings". As so often happens with church groups, these meetings led to a marriage, on August 2nd, 1969.

While the children were growing up she was a devoted participant in their lives as a Girl Scout troop leader, and enthusiastically supported Orange County Song and Dance Co., dance teams, and sororities. Her cake decorating and candy making filled the house with warmth and goodness, as did her sense of humor and hospitality.
Janet's profession was as an executive secretary and office administrator. In the 1970's she worked at CSULB and was an avid 49er football and basketball fan. Most recently she was employed at Murphy, Murphy and Murphy, CPAs in Cypress.

Janet was a pardoxical woman; although of German heritage, she had no fondness for beer, yet immensely enjoyed Munich's Oktoberfest. Her vacation travels also included Costa Rica, Austria, Ireland, Alaska and USC football road trips.

Janet is survived by her husband, George, daughters Laura Monaghan and Christiane, and grand-daughter Megan Monaghan.