Katherine Sturm Obituary

Katherine Adair Sturm (née Lapp), 83, of Connecticut, passed away peacefully Jan. 16, 2026, surrounded by her family.
She was born Jan. 14, 1942, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Herman and Auda Lapp. Kathy grew up in Pasco, Wash., with her brothers, Sharon and Martin. After graduating high school, she worked for Boeing in Seattle, where she met Timothy Sturm. The couple married in Hawaii and traveled the world before settling in Bradford, Pa., where they owned an insurance agency and raised their two sons, Fletcher and Eric.
Following retirement, Kathy and Tim purchased property in the East Bradford valley. They developed and named it Chestnut Hill, where they built a home and barn for Kathy's beloved horses, Habibi and Ladd. An avid golfer and member of the Pennhills Club, Kathy also enjoyed horseback riding and hosting family gatherings at Chestnut Hill.
Kathy and Tim relocated to Sarasota, Fla., for golf and fun in the sun. Following Tim's passing, Kathy moved to Connecticut to be near her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. She resided at Brightview Senior Living and enjoyed gardening in the courtyard, walks at Waveny and Irwin Parks in New Canaan, time at the beach in Norwalk and on Nantucket, horse shows at Old Salem Farm in New York, and dinner with her family at dozens of favorite spots in the area, most notably Locali Pizza - her favorite.
She is survived by her brothers, Sharon Lapp and Martin Lapp; her son, Fletcher Sturm, and his wife, Toni, in Connecticut; and three granddaughters, Morgan, Avery and Lauren Sturm.
In addition to her husband, Timothy Sturm, she was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Auda Lapp; and a son, Eric Sturm.
Memorial donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.