Terese F. Truninger

Terese F. Truninger, 93, of Savanna, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Stonehill Communities in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born on January 29, 1932, Terese was the daughter of Basilio and Josephine (Morgano) Gregory. The youngest of five children, she grew up in Savanna, attending local schools and graduating from Savanna High School with the Class of 1951. On May 15, 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, Jason Truninger. Together, they raised four children and celebrated 58 years of marriage until Jason's passing in 2013.

For many years, Terese worked for the Milwaukee Railroad, retiring in the late 1980s. However, her true vocation was that of a mother and caregiver. She was full of love, and her selflessness extended far beyond her immediate family. Terese took care of everyone she could—from aunts and uncles to friends and strangers alike. She was a caregiver in every sense of the word, selfless to a fault.

Faith was central to Terese’s life. She was an active member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church community, where she wore many hats and played critical roles over the years. She also dedicated her time to the wider community, volunteering for many years at the Savanna Help Center.

Her family will fondly remember her amazing cooking, specifically her lasagna, roast beef, and "Nani's Pasta," a secret cheesy noodle dish beloved by her grandchildren. She was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother who cherished the precious time spent with her family. A lover of animals, Terese had a soft spot for stray cats and dearly loved her own cats and "granddogs."

Terese will be dearly missed by her four children, Michael (Susie) Truninger of Davenport, IA, Mary Jo (Scott) Griffin of Reading, PA, Gregory (Kimberly) Truninger of Chillicothe, IL, and Teresa Ann (Scott) Kunkel of Kieler, WI; seven grandchildren, Nathan (Jenni), KayLee, Elyse, Kaiden, Jace, Reese, and Madeline; her great-grandson, Jackson; her sister-in-law, Dorothy Truninger of Clinton, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jason; her parents, Basilio and Josephine; her siblings, Bob, Mary, Pauline, and Caroline; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the kind and caring staff and hospice team at Stonehill Communities for taking wonderful care of their mother during these last couple of years.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established.