Karen Schaefer

Karen Ann (Mueller) Schaefer lost her 9 year battle with dementia on Monday, January 12, 2026.

She was born November 9, 1947 the second of five children born to Billy and Anna Mae (Ganson) Mueller and was raised in Willow Springs, Missouri. After high school she moved to Springfield, Missouri where she spent several years working for Zenith. Karen met Scott Schaefer, who she joined in marriage on July 31, 1971. Two years later they welcomed their daughter Shelley.

Over the years Karen enjoyed a variety of sports. Some of these include racket ball, bowling, water skiing, snow skiing, tennis, working out, and running. She placed in her age group a couple of times in the Sunshine Run10K. As she got older golf became her sport of choice. She qualified in her age group for the Mo Senior Woman's Golf Tournament nearly every year she played and even placed 3rd one year. She also spent one year as the president of the Mo Senior Woman's Golf Association.

Karen was a very active and social person up to her diagnosis. She loved spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed volunteer work and helping raise money for good causes. In 1995 she was president of the Shrine Ladies Auxiliary. She loved traveling, playing card games, mahjong, arts and crafts, shopping, and relaxing at the lake with a good book.

Karen was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother that had an impact on everyone she met. Her smile, sense of humor, and infectious laugh will be missed by all that knew her.

She is survived by her husband Scott, daughter Shelley Schaefer, son-in-law Justin Lucas, grandchildren Jackson and Valerie Lucas, brother Robert Mueller, sisters Anita Covington, Etta Faye Mueller, and Gwenna Mueller, several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and two nephews, John and Edward Mueller.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at Payne Cemetery, Nixa, under the direction of J.D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home, Rogersville.

In lieu of flowers the family requests, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Abou Ben Adhem Temple, 601 St. Louis Street, Springfield, Mo 65806.