Mandy Kay (Kraus) Risinger

Mandy Kay Kraus Risinger, 54 of Woodville, Texas, passed away, Thursday, July 31, 2025, at home surrounded by her family. She was born August 31, 1970, to C.R. “Butch” Kraus and Doris Jean Deggs Kraus in Pasadena, Texas. After graduating from Chester High School as the 1988 Valedictorian, she attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in Public Administration.  She served as the former City Manager for the City of Corrigan and as the current City Manager for the City of Woodville for over twenty years.

Mandy was one of the most caring and loving people you would ever meet.  She was a caregiver to many.  She was always the first one to send a casserole, food, or meet the needs of anyone.  You could call her for advice on how to deal with a hard situation or how to make a meal for 100 people.  She would handle every event meticulously, no matter how small the detail.  She was known for being “bossy”, but her job and other commitments called for that personality, and she handled it with ease. She was relentless in her commitments and duties, and you always knew that each task would be well done.

But most of all, she was the most devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.  She loved her “people” deeper than anyone could have ever imagined.  She made sure each of her “people” knew how much they were loved and treasured and “spoiled” each of them.  She made each special occasion extraordinary and very personal for each one.  But most of all, she had an unwavering faith and relationship with her Savior.  She relied on him to get her through her tough times and encouraged others to do the same.  When she tried to fix everyone's problems (because that’s what she always wanted to do), she would say, “ I have given it to the Good Lord, and he will work it out.”   …And he always did.

Mandy had her hand in many organizations.  She was a member of the Corrigan #631 Order of the Eastern Star and the Groveton #1035 Order of the Easter Star.  A member of the Woodville United Methodist Church, she served on many boards for the church and beyond.  She served for many years as the Executive Director for the Tyler County Dogwood Festival, a Tyler County Hospital Board Member, a member of the Tyler County Volunteer Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary, Woodville Women’s Reading Club, Tyler County Chamber of Commerce,  and various other civic and government advisory boards.

Mandy leaves behind a family who deeply loves her, her husband of 27 years, John David Risinger, Jr.; daughters, Rachel Emilie Risinger and Kelsi Kay Risinger; son, John David Risinger, III; mother, Doris Jean Kraus of Corrigan; sisters, Debbie Odgen of Chester and Sandy Burris and husband, Ryan of Corrigan; brother-in-law, Michael Risinger and wife, Amy; nieces and nephews, Tyler and Cerenity Ogden, Katy and Carrie Burris, Connor and Carlie Risinger; uncle, Don Shaw; cousins, Will Shaw and wife, Karen, Allie and Katie Ronaghan, Nate Shaw and wife, Julie, Laurie and Nathan Shaw and a host of other family members and friends.

Funeral service will be held Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 3 pm at the Woodville United Methodist Church with Rev. Douglas Wintermute officiating.  Burial will follow at the Magnolia Cemetery in Woodville.  Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 pm until 3 pm at the church.

Serving as pallbearers will be Casey McCollum, Todd Dinger, Tim Kimbrow, Kris Moore, Doug Hughes, and Matthew Standley.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Katy and Carrie Burris, Connor and Carlie Risinger, Tyler and Cerenity Ogden, Katie and Allie Ronaghan, and Laurie and Nathan Shaw.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Olive Branch Hospice, her nurse Madison Stafford and the owner, Greg Gray, and Joanna Jarrott. 

The family asks that, instead of flowers, donations be made to the Woodville Methodist Church in Mandy’s name.

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