My name is Louise Johnston. I was born in Madison, South Dakota. When I was three years old, my father passed away, and my mother moved back to Mason City, Iowa, to live with her parents. When I was five, my mother remarried, and my stepfather adopted me.
During my senior year of high school, my father was transferred to a small town in western Iowa. Because I had taken accelerated classes, the school had no additional courses for me, so they recommended that I get a job. I began working for an attorney in Pocahontas, Iowa. When my father was transferred again, I took a position with Druggist Mutual Insurance Company in Algona, Iowa.
When I was 19, my father passed away, and my mother moved back to Mason City. Shortly afterward, I applied for a position with Social Security and began working there in October of 1966. When my husband later accepted a job in Billings, Montana, I requested and received a transfer with Social Security. I worked as a claims representative and retired on May 2, 2002, to join my husband in his real estate business.
I met my husband, Roger, in Mason City in 1968, and we were married the following year. Although Roger grew up in Iowa, he found that the western climate was much better for his allergies while attending the University of Denver. After he interviewed for banking jobs, we moved to Billings, Montana, in 1971. We have two children, a son and a daughter. Our son and his family live in Billings and have two sons, ages 16 and 12. Our daughter and her family live in Colorado Springs and have three children: a 19-year-old daughter and two sons, ages 15 and 11.
I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren. I also love sewing, knitting, traveling, water aerobics, hosting two Bible studies in my home, being active in my church, and meeting friends for coffee. I remain involved in real estate and still enjoy it, even though I no longer own the firm. I have also joined Gals Going Global and Widows Never Alone.
After Roger passed away in November 2022, I decided to sell the real estate firm, as I no longer wanted the responsibility of managing agents. I also sold some of our rental properties. While I kept my real estate license, I suddenly found myself with much more free time. I wanted to do something meaningful with that time, so I began volunteering at RiverStone Health and the Alberta Bair Theater.
I had heard about CASA and decided to learn more. I completed the training in 2023 and was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in December of that year. The following month, I was assigned my first case, a six-year-old girl who had experienced sexual abuse, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse. I had never encountered issues like these before and found it heartbreaking that a child could endure such trauma. At Social Security, I worked with difficult cases, but they involved adults who had some control over their situations. A child has no such control.
The foster mother caring for this little girl was wonderful and hoped to adopt her. She worked tirelessly to help the child catch up in school and receive the counseling she needed. In November, the foster mother officially adopted her, which was truly a happy ending.
I am now working with a little boy who has just turned eight. I have not yet met him. He is living with his 19-year-old sister and has spent more than half of his life in foster care. I am looking forward to getting to know both and supporting their journey.
Being a CASA is both rewarding and challenging. You want so badly to make life better for the child, but sometimes it feels like you take one step forward and two steps back. I once told a foster mother who was upset and unable to reach the child’s attorney or social worker that she could call me anytime. I don’t work from 8:00 to 5:00—I will make sure the right people get the information they need so she can focus on caring for the child. I truly believe foster parents have one of the most demanding roles imaginable. Not only do the children need support, but the foster parents do as well.
If you have five to fifteen hours a month and feel called to make a difference, I encourage you to consider becoming a CASA. These children desperately need advocates. Age should never be a barrier. CASAs range from their 20s to their 80s. Please don’t let age stop you from making a meaningful impact in a child’s life.
