Maida Modgling

Maida Corder Modgling, a native of Hondo, Medina County, Texas, passed away on September 17, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Best known for her sharp legal mind, she wore many hats throughout her life besides that of a lawyer. She was a beloved mother, devoted daughter, wife, aunt, sister, friend and -her favorite– “Mimi,” her self-chosen grandmother name.

Born to Bob and Kathryn Corder in Hondo on January 9, 1945, Maida went through all grade levels in Hondo schools. She graduated in 1963 from Hondo High School before attending the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1967. While at UT she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, a member of the UT Band’s Texas Stars twirling team, and a study abroad student in Germany.

After graduating from college, she married Roy K. Modgling from Junction and taught high school English. They lived in several places including College Station, Florence and Lawton, Oklahoma while Roy served in the army. During this time, she began raising, breeding and showing Great Danes. Her love of Great Danes continued even after moving back to Hondo in 1976, as a Great Dane was almost always found roaming her house on 20th street. Roy and Maida were married more than 30 years and raised their two children, Jennifer and Levi, in Hondo.

Originally an English teacher, Maida decided to go to law school when her children were very young because she “didn’t know it would be so hard and thought it would keep her mind active!” After graduating from St. Mary’s School of Law in 1980, she practiced family law, for which she was board certified, in Medina and surrounding counties for over 25 years. Maida served as the Medina County Attorney for 8 years where, assisted by her staff, she made many modernizing changes. She also served on various boards including volunteering for Camp Fire Girls as board member and troop leader. Maida dearly loved singing Alto in the choir in the Hondo United Methodist Church, where she was a lifelong member and volunteered in numerous capacities.

Maida was known for her intellect, generosity, and love of a good joke as well as visiting with all kinds of people. Despite a full work schedule, her kids could count on her support and attendance at innumerable activities from athletics to rodeos, where she was sure to form new friendships while also making sure her enthusiastic encouragement was heard across the gym, field or arena. She was often willing to use her legal skills to try to help out, and she was a believer in community service and civic duty. At home, she would often use her beautiful singing voice to sing church hymns while cleaning up the kitchen, and hosted many family holidays even if it meant staying up all night to get her baking done at the last minute!

Her family and friends always knew that she loved them because she told them so very often. We will miss her and keep our fond memories of her close to our hearts. Maida is survived by her two children, Jennifer (Dennis) Windscheffel of San Antonio and Levi (Leslie) Modgling of Hondo, six grandchildren, Abigail, Madison and Logan Windscheffel of San Antonio, and Parker, Tate, and Jude Modgling of Hondo, and her former husband, Roy Modgling of Hondo. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Rayburn Corder, III (Reyhaneh) of Grand Prairie and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Rayburn, II and Maida Kathryn Corder, and her brother, Richard Corder.

The family wishes to extend a special note of gratitude to Maida’s caregiver and companion, Carole Ann Sawyer, as well as respite caregivers Sherri Benavides and Mandy Ortega, and the staff at Mother Earth Adult Daycare, Freedom Hospice and Las Colinas.

The public is invited to both a visitation with the family at Hondo Funeral Home on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 5-7 pm, and a memorial service to be held at the Hondo Methodist Church on September 30, 2023, at 11:00 am which will be followed by a reception at the church hall. The memorial service will be streamed on the Hondo Methodist Church Facebook page. There will be a private burial at a later date.

While flowers are welcome, the family also would appreciate donations made to the American Alzheimer’s Association in Maida’s name.

Services are under the direction of Hondo Funeral Home.