Part I: Mansfield couple devoted 35 years to fostering 150 children
July 2, 2018
Barb and Randy Lookenott, of Mansfield, spent about 35 years fostering approximately 150 children.
- By Emily Dech, Staff Reporter, Richland Source
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is this first story in a two-part series on a Mansfield couple who has an extensive history as foster parents.
MANSFIELD -- Barb and Randy Lookenott are referred to by many people as mom and dad.
That's because for about 35 years they fostered approximately 150 children at their Mansfield home.
It was something they "fell into," they said.
One of their three biological sons played baseball with a boy in need of a home, as his living situation at the time was unstable. Their son pleaded with his parents, "Can't we take him?"
The Lookenotts obliged and called the boy’s caseworker, who informed them that the boy has a little brother, also in need of a home.
"I was scared," Barb admitted. "We had three kids and that was good, but to have five......"
They were told it would only be for a short period of time, as the caseworker already had a family lined up for them. But it didn't matter because as time wore on, they couldn't stand parting from the boys. In fact, they adopted one (the other did not want to be adopted but continued to live with the Lookenotts).
So began their journey as foster parents.
"We've had a great life with our foster kids," Barb said. "We feel really blessed and we still have the opportunity to be involved in probably half a dozen of those kids' lives that call us mom and dad and they have kids that call us grandma and grandpa."
Pictures fill their living room of people they've cared for. Pointing to the different photos, Randy shared where those pictured reside and what they do for a living. He said he had the pleasure of walking three of the females they fostered down the aisle at their respective weddings.
But not every one of their foster children remains in contact.
"Some of them stayed maybe a month or two," Barb said. "And some asked if they could go get a pop -- we lived where there was a convenience store nearby -- and then they'd never come back."
"So many of them were tired of being within the system," said Randy, who was once named Foster Father of the Year in Richland County.
Still, others stayed with the Lookenotts after turning 18, when they "aged out" of the foster system.
"How could you put them out on the street?" Barb said.
The Lookenotts have three biological children and two adoptive.
"But we just say five kids," Barb said. "We don't discriminate."
Photos line the Lookenotts' mantle of children they've cared for over the years.
Both Barb and Randy worked in retail. Randy worked at a shoe company, paint company, furniture company and then retired from Fuji Film about 15 years ago. Barb worked at JC Penney.
Now in their 80s, the Lookenotts continue to stay busy by volunteering at Catalyst Life Services. Randy also volunteers at Richland County Probate Court.
Between the two, they've held a variety of volunteer positions, lending a helping hand where needed, including the Red Cross, Richland County Children Services, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Community Emergency Response Team, among other programs and organizations.
They use their free time to get caught up on house chores, read, watch some television, run errands, etc.
Exercise is also an important part of their daily routine. Randy sets aside a 90 minutes each day to ride his stationary bike. As a type 2 diabetic, he takes his health seriously and even teaches health and diabetes courses at the Area Agency on Aging.
Health took somewhat of a backseat in their child-rearing years.
"Even going to the dentist, we didn't do any of that hardly, but we took the kids," Barb said.
While they agree health and faith in God is important to positive aging, they've found that their investment in the lives of children has given them a richer outlook on life.
"Because we were able to do all that, our rewards are the kids," Barb said. "They're a blessing to us and they keep us going."
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