Karen Ann Laughner Howard, 75, died February 25, 2021, at Regional Medical Center in Cookeville, TN. She was born April 14, 1945, at Frankfort Hospital in Frankfort, IN.
Karen attended schools at Owen Township, Rossville, and Jefferson before graduating from Clinton Prairie High School in 1963. While at Clinton Prairie, she was the Girl’s State Delegate in 1962, and active in the National Honor Society, Student Council, Spanish and Latin Clubs, and was President of the Atheneum Club. She attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington before earning her Masters at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN.
She was an English Professor primarily at TTU in Cookeville, TN, and Volunteer State in Livington, TN. Karen was the type of teacher who not only taught English, but also taught Life Skills, as many of her former students remember her fondly to this day. She enjoyed University of Kentucky basketball, reading books and opera.
Karen is survived by a daughter, Angela Howard of Louisville, sons Brian and Eric Howard, and granddaughter Talia Howard of Cookeville, a sister, Janice (Richard) Davison, and brother Alvin (Deanna) and Mike (Donna) Laughner of Kokomo, IN, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Agnes (Hubert) and Alvin Laughner. A Memorial Service may be held at a later date.