Karen Louise Horny, 83, of Springfield, passed away July 25, 2026. She was born April 22, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, to Dr. Hugo Horny and Margaret Bailey Horny.

She received her Bachelor's Degree in French Literature from Brown University in 1965 and a Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan in 1966. Her student job at Brown was in special collections at the library, where she fell in love with the field. After graduate school, she worked at Northwestern University, where she was employed for more than 20 years. In 1995, she moved to Springfield, becoming the Dean of Library Services at Missouri State University, where she worked until retiring in 2009.

During her time at MSU, she oversaw the refurbishment of the Meyer Library, updating the electronic needs for the future. Dean Karen, as she was known, also enhanced the libraries at Missouri State - Mountain Grove and Greenwood Laboratory School. Under her leadership, the library also worked to develop Special Collections and Archives.

Karen was active in the American Library Association and President for a division of that group from 1980-1981. She was also President of the Missouri Library Association in 2007.

When she graduated from college, her parents gave her a choice for a present: a car or a summer in Europe. She chose Europe, and that started her love of travel. Karen visited over 60 countries and especially loved going to England. She also liked going to sports and arts events, especially Tent Theatre shows, the President's Concert, Carillon performances and Ozarks Lyric Opera events.

Karen greatly valued her life in Springfield where she was active in and supportive of the Missouri State University Library, especially its Special Collections; the History Museum on the Square; the Rotary Club of Springfield (Downtown); Ozarks Lyric Opera (OLO). She was a devout member of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Along with many friends here in Springfield and around the country, Karen will be dearly missed by her cousin Norman P. Lasca, Jr., his wife Judith, and their sons Norman P. Lasca III and Andrew N. Lasca, and by her cousins G. Michael Minton, his wife Mary Ann, and Martha Minton Winter and their families.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 4, at 10:30 AM, followed by a luncheon, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 515 E. Division St, Springfield, Missouri 65803. Memorials to St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Special Collections at the Missouri State University Library, or to an organization of one’s choice will be appreciated.