Trunetta May Siedentopf

It is with an equal mix of love, laughter and a whole lot of sarcasm that we announce the passing of Trunetta May "Tru" Siedentopf (formerly known as Trunetta May Barnes), who left us on April 20, 2025, at the ripe age of 78 (7 days shy of her 79th birthday!). Tru wasn't your typical grandmother-unless your grandma also had a flair for sarcasm, crochet, and telling you exactly what she thought (whether you asked or not). Called 'Trudy' from a young age, she decided in her 70's that she never liked that damn name and spent her later years demanding everyone call her Tru. Honestly, we weren't going to argue with her.
Tru's life was an adventure. Together with her husband Terry, she owned an appliance business in Cotati, CA, where they spent many years working hard and meeting the community. But that was only one chapter of their wild, unpredictable ride. They raised pigs and earthworms (yes, earthworms) in Forestville, CA, where Tru undoubtedly became the unofficial queen of the farm-who else could handle both livestock and worms with grace? If that wasn't enough, they also ranched cattle in Cazadero, CA, where Tru managed to work harder than anyone while still finding time to make everyone around her laugh (and scream at her kids that it was dinner time!). There wasn't a challenge she couldn't tackle-except maybe cooked carrots.
Tru's heart, however, was always with her family. She loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those who were lucky enough to be part of her life. She cultivated her love for sarcasm, crochet, gardening, and baked goods, often insisting that any problem could be solved with a fresh batch of cookies or cake. Chocolate was her one true love, aside from her family-she had a taste for the finer things, especially in the dessert department.
Tru fought the Grim Reaper for 78 years (and let's be honest, the Reaper was terrified of her). In 2016, she actually beat him with his own scythe-she never let him forget it. The two finally called a truce after bonding over high-quality chocolate, and on April 20, 2025, Tru gave him permission to accompany her to the afterlife. If the Reaper thought he was going to get her easily, he learned the hard way: Tru only goes when she's good and ready-and if there's chocolate involved, she'll make it worth his while.
Tru was married to Terry Wayne Siedentopf, the love of her life, until his passing in 2017. Together, they were a match made in heaven. They spent their years creating a legacy of love, laughter, and questionable decisions. Now, as Tru joins him in the great beyond, we can only imagine the amount of trouble they'll be stirring up up there.
In her final hours, Tru was surrounded by her loving family, who took great pleasure in reminding her of all the hilarious, inappropriate, and borderline scandalous things she did throughout her life. From the time she threw up on her Mother Superior, to the Purple Pasta she served at a cookout in 1992 - no detail was spared. Tru, ever the good sport, returned the favor, offering up some final zingers that had everyone in stitches. As expected, she left us laughing-because of course, she did.
Tru is survived by her Sister Donna Walton; Children Terri Siedentopf (Todd Dingman), Britt Siedentopf, Mark Murillo (Kricket Jensen) and Amanda Hubbell (Terry Hubbell); and Grandchildren Tasia Siedentopf, Cianah Siedentopf, and Trianna Dingman. She was an incredibly proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and her love for her family was fierce. Her great-grandchildren, Rosie, Theodore, and Emilia held a special place in her heart, and we're sure she's up there watching over them with love, probably teaching them how to make their own inappropriate jokes.
Throughout the years, Tru also had many "bonus" children who loved her just as dearly. They all called her "Mom" and became part of her extended family, a true testament to her big heart and her ability to make everyone feel like they belonged.
No funeral for Tru-nope, that wasn't her style. She specifically requested a "raucous celebration of life," which means there will be laughter, probably some karaoke, and someone will definitely tell at least one story that will make you think, "Did they really just say that?" Details for the celebration of life will be forthcoming, so stay tuned for that information.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice. However, if you'd like to honor Tru's love of sweet treats, we encourage you to bake a batch of cookies and share them with someone you love, or simply pass on a little kindness and mischief, just as Tru did every day of her life.
Rest easy, Tru. You've left us with an endless supply of stories, laughter, and a lot of bad jokes. We'll keep the sarcasm alive and make sure the laughs keep coming-just as you would've wanted.