Joan E. (Sokolik) Meisner, Ph.D.
March 23, 1933 – March 6, 2023
VISITATION: Wednesday, March 22nd from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, March 23rd at 10am at St. Gerald Catholic Church, 9602 “Q” St. Interment: Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to St. Gerald Catholic Church or Mount Michael Benedictine General Scholarship Fund.
To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
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Preceded in death by husband, Joseph C. Meisner, parents, John and Catherine Sokolik; brothers, John, Francis, Joseph, and Gregory Sokolik; and sisters, Mary Skopinski, Catherine Regner, Theresa Kozel, Anne Beezley, Virgina Hemenway and Gertrude Sokolik. Surviving siblings, Helen Kravchuk and Robert Sokolik; many nieces and nephews.
Wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, scholar and traveler-Joan Meisner lived an exceptional life.
Joan Sokolik Meisner was one of thirteen children born to John and Catherine Sokolik in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating high school, she briefly entered the convent but left before taking final vows. Instead, she pursued her love of education and helping others. After obtaining her nursing degree, Joan went on to obtain her master’s at Catholic University, becoming one of the first certified cardiac nurses in the United States. She taught nursing and continued her own education, ultimately obtaining a PhD. During her life, Joan worked as a nursing instructor, professor, and administrator at many colleges and universities, including the College of St Mary, Creighton University, Washington University, Saint Louis University, and the University of Missouri at Columbia.
Joan’s personal life was exceptional. She and her husband, Dr. Joseph C. Meisner, lived a fulfilling life. They had a loving relationship and actively interacted with their families, other scholars, and their students. A visit from Joe and Joan was always a treat, and their families, especially their nephews and nieces, enjoyed interacting with them. After Joe passed in 1980, Joan remained in Columbia, Missouri, tutoring, and teaching at the University of Missouri.
In between tutoring and teaching assignments, Joan indulged in her love of travel. She toured China with other medical professional when it first opened up to the West. She visited Italy, Spain, Australia, and other countries for extended periods of time. She loved these excursions and shared her adventures with her family through pictures, postcards, and stories. Eventually, she decided to move back to her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, so she could be closer to her siblings. Once she moved to Omaha, her adventures continued. She bought a condo and a cute little red sports car and fully embraced her community. She became an active member of St Gerald’s Parish, served as a lector, and joined the choir. She truly loved the friends she made there.
Later in life, Joan experienced some physical limitations due to some falls and some medical complications. She fought to overcome these limitations and, despite being wheelchair-bound, managed to remain in independent living until the end of July 2022. She remained an active presence in the lives of her remaining siblings, nieces, nephews, and even great-nieces and nephews.
Joan’s physical presence will be missed, but her legacy will continue to be felt in the memories and hearts of those that knew and loved her.
1 Condolence
I am blessed to have known Joan when she lived at Fountain View. My visits with her were insightful and full of great stories about women making a difference, especially her. Thanks for showing us what was and is possible. Karen Kowal (Joan Kowal’s daughter)
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