Reidun (Gunderson) Meissner was born October 19,1924 to Nelly Camilla Agnes (Berntsen) and Ragnvald Johan Gunderson in Floro, Norway.

On December 8,1928 at the age of 4, Reidun sailed from Bergen, Norway to Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the ship: Bergesfjord.  She sailed with her mother Nelly and her sister Ruth, arriving in Halifax on December 15 ^th , 1928. They traveled by train to Vancouver, Canada where they were met by Ri's father who escorted them to Seattle, Washington.

Growing up Ri lived on Queen Anne hill, attending North Queen Anne elementary school and graduating from Queen Anne High School a year early in 1942.  After graduation Ri lived in San Francisco working for the Army and had hopes of becoming a nurse, but decided she was not cut out for that vocation.  She moved back to Seattle to care for her sister Ruth's son Jimmy and has lived here ever since.

She met her future husband and love of her life, Steve Meissner at a party at Hazel Bottens. They were married on July 20, 1946, in Seattle at Saint Benedicts Catholic Church.  (Shoreline) WA

Ri was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. One of her biggest joys in life is having her family around her. She is well known for her beautifully wrapped packages-the children always say they know which present is from GG. Christmas Eve at Ri and Steve's became a family tradition that children, grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to cherish. Ri shopped early and long to find the perfect present for each of her family. When the grandchildren were young it was a yearly tradition to go to the Fredrick & Nelson's Christmas party. Ri also loved to take them to the Easter party.

Ri and Steve have eleven grandchildren : Tony Meissner, Kim Piazza(John) and Jeff Meissner(Ayana),Andrea Johnston(Todd),Amy Rounds(Darryl),Ken Meissner(Alicia) ,Kyle Meissner(Suki),Kevin Meissner(Hillary), Ashlee Nist (Michael) , Michelle Hoarde (LaRoy) and Lisa Meissner.

They are blessed with twenty-one great grandchildren.

Ri had always been active in Saint Luke's Catholic Church doing such volunteer work as working at "hot lunch Thursdays" making up the hot dogs (mustard, ketchup or both) for the kids so they could grab any left over hot dogs and they always knew she would pick up the tab. Ri also volunteered to clean the church and make salads for funerals. Ri converted to the Catholic religion after her boys were grown. She enjoyed her many friends in her sorority and all the service projects they were involved in.  She also played pinochle with a group of friends.

She also loves sports, especially football. She and Steve attended the Husky games for years, and were always dressed in purple and gold for the occasion.  She is also a big supporter of any sport her grandchildren and great grandchildren where a part of and attended many of their games.

Ri never missed a christening, birthday party, game, recital or anything else she was invited to for her family as long as she was able to do so, including some fun Halloween parties when she and Steve would dress up.

Ri is survived by her son's, Steve Meissner (Leah), Dick Meissner (Jeni), Dan Meissner (Mary Louise) and Tim Meissner. Ten grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Stephen J Meissner and her grandson Tony Meissner.

Such a wonderful, classy lady. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!