Violet (Vi) Deah Meissner, 93, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, December 29, 2022. She is now reunited with her loving husband, Louis (Louie), in heaven.

Vi was born to Niels and Iva Nielsen on June 12, 1929, in Alta, IA. It was there that she spent her childhood and graduated from Highview Consolidated School. After high school, she began nursing school in Sioux City, IA, where she received her Registered Nurse (RN) certificate. She worked as a nurse in Sioux City for several years before moving to Portland, OR, where she worked at Good Samaritan Hospital.

She met her husband Louie while visiting Umapine, OR, with one of her fellow nurses. Vi was on a blind date with another man when Louie asked her out for the following weekend. She said yes, and this started a six-month, long-distance romance before they were married in Portland on October 17, 1954. They were married for over 66 wonderful years until Louie's death in June 2021.

After marrying, Vi took a break from nursing and moved to Umapine where she raised their three daughters - Chris, Lorraine, and Billie - and helped on the family farm. In 1969, the family moved to Kennewick, WA. Prior to the move, Vi took a nursing refresher course and got her drivers license so she could go back into nursing. She was an inspiration to her three daughters by returning to nursing at the age of 40. She worked as a night nurse on the surgical floor of Kadlec Regional Hospital until her retirement in 1994.

Vi enjoyed traveling with her husband and family throughout North America, Europe, and Africa. Louie was passionate about hunting and fishing, and Vi was able to join him on his three African safaris and a hunt in Spain. She also had the opportunity to join her father on his first visit to Denmark after his immigration to the United States. It was there that she met numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, who she remained close to through visits and letters. In addition to traveling, Vi was an active member of the Kennewick First Presbyterian Church since 1969.

Above all, Vi was loved and adored by her family, namely her six grandchildren. They loved visiting Grandma, baking cookies with her, and listening to her stories. She was funny without trying to be and was willing to try most things the grandkids asked her to do, not caring how ridiculous they might be. Vi has left her family and friends with many wonderful and hilarious memories.

Vi is survived by her brother, Merlin (Shirley) Nielsen; daughters Chris (Gary) Carpenter, Lorraine (Tom) Calihan, and Billie (Dan) Mauss; grandchildren Ashley, Kristin, Courtney, Brooklynn, Louis, and Craig; and 7 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a special nephew, Don (Sharon) Dunn, and their children Melissa, Emily, and Andrew; close family friend James (Victoria) Tobery and their sons Jacob and Jordan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister, LaVon Blum.

Please join us in celebrating Vi's life on Friday, April 7th, at 1:00 at Kennewick First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Trail Seekers of Central Washington through Kennewick First Presbyterian Church (509-582-9537) or at or Chaplaincy Health Care (509-783-7416 or ).