Judy Kay Sturges, 81, of Indianapolis, IN passed away Thursday, March 7, 2024, at home. She lived for her family, and was surrounded by them until the end.

Judy was born December 6, 1942 in Mystic, Iowa to Julius Raymond Kauzlarich and Virginia Jeanne (Kelly) Kauzlarich. She graduated in 1961 from Centerville High School in Iowa.  After graduation, she moved to Des Moines and worked as a secretary for Bankers Life before moving to Indiana.  She worked as a secretary for American Steel Foundries until she married and started her family.

From that time on, her life revolved around her family.  She married her loving husband Dave in December of 1965, and they were blessed with three beautiful daughters, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.  Judy enjoyed league bowling with and without Dave, and Bunco club with the ladies.  She was an active member of Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic church in Valparaiso, IN and taught catechism classes for many years.  Judy was involved in the kids' school activities as much as she could be, acting as room mother for all her children and even some of her grandchildren.  She made the most requested sugar cookies for every class party, popped popcorn every Friday, attended countless field trips, and participated in the PTA.  She was the first to arrive and the last to leave at every event of her kids and grandkids; cheering, clapping, and offering encouragement.  Judy loved when her kids or grandkids had friends over and would often sit and listen to the sounds of them playing, talking, or screaming at video games.  She didn't care if the house was clean, if the kids were making a mess, or if she was losing sleep because of the decibel level…as long as her family was happy and present, she was happy.  She loved playing chauffer to her kids, grandkids, and even their friends, who she would tell to call her "grandma," and loved when they did just that.  Nothing brought Judy more joy than being surrounded by and useful to her family, who she loved beyond measure.

Judy is survived by her loving daughters Sharon Sturges (Donald Parker) of Beech Grove, IN, Susan Howard (Rex) of Bloomington, IN, and Sonja McLain (Joe) of Indianapolis, IN, grandchildren Nicholas (Melissa), Russell (Rachel), David, Curtis, Andrew, Callie, Charlie, and Baily, and great-grandchildren Madelina, Gabriella, and Aurora, brother Kelly Kauzlarich of Centerville, IA, sisters Joyce Moore of Centerville, IA, Jane Kauzlarich (Ed Playle) of Oskaloosa, IA, and Nancy (Jim) Watterson of Melvin, IA, and sister-in-love Mary Kauzlarich of Jordan, MN and many nieces and nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her loving husband David Sturges, parents Julius and Virginia Kauzlarich, brother Larry Kauzlarich, and sister-in-love Lynda Kauzlarich.

A celebration of life service will be conducted on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 3PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Friends may call Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 1PM until service time at the mortuary. Inurnment will take place at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Greenwood, IN.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com