Our team

Anita Haumont completed her CASA training and was sworn in by Judge Michael Burns in December of 2012. Her husband, Mike, and Anita have resided in Fillmore County for eleven years, and both enjoy being involved in the community.

Anita has represented the voices of six children thus far and advocated for what she felt was in their best interest. “At times, they may not have always agreed with my concerns and recommendations, but through my interactions with those around them, such as therapists, teachers, grandparents, and others, I always felt like I was making my recommendations to the judge based on facts. I also, have always included the children’s wishes, whatever they may be, as that too, is my responsibility,” said Anita.

Through her experiences with CASA, she has made a dear friend, and states that it has been rewarding to represent those that may not be able to represent themselves.

Lynn Mussman and her husband and live on a farm near Ohiowa. She is currently the Fillmore County Assessor and her husband is engaged in farming. They were blessed with 3 sons.

The Mussman family are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ohiowa and Lynn spent 15+ years as a youth group leader and 18 years as a 4-H leader. She enjoyed working with the youth so when she read an article in the Nebraska Signal about  becoming a CASA volunteer, Lynn signed up, went through the training and was sworn in as a CASA on Dec. 19^th 2012.

One of Lynn’s son’s recently asked her why she volunteers for these children and she told him that it was because someone once was a volunteer for her and it’s important to pay it back.

Karen Schotsch initially learned about CASA from a friend while living in Kansas City. She joined the large KC marketing team and for several years helped by volunteering marketing services, designing the Kansas City CASA annual report, t-shirts and logos for events and helping on fundraising committees.

Karen retired in 2011 and moved back to her hometown of Geneva to help her aging mother. “I read an article in the local paper which mentioned CASA was in need of volunteers. With my previous experience with CASA, I thought I could be helpful.”

Karen was sworn in by Judge Michael Burns in 2012 and has recently been assisting the Fillmore County CASA office with marketing.

Pat Sudrla lives in Exeter and has worked with children in the area since 1977. She taught Kindergarten in Fairmont, Geneva and Exeter, then attained her Special Ed degree and taught preschool and home-based services for children from birth to 3 years old.

Pat retired in 2011 and has been working with the Early Childhood team at Centennial School in Utica. She has one married son and one granddaughter.

“Working with CASA was a longtime plan of mine and I did my training the first year after retiring. I have learned a lot from my first cases and look forward to getting to know more children in the future,” said Pat.