Barbara Lee Jergenson

Barbara Lee Jergenson, 76, of Fort Walton Beach, FL, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at the Shoal Creek Nursing Home in Crestview. She had been in declining health over the past two years.

Barbara was born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, June 28, 1944. After spending her early years as a military brat living in Maine, Oklahoma, two locations in California and in Japan - where she graduated from high school - her family finally settled at Eglin Air Force Base. She lived her entire adult life in Fort Walton Beach. For much of her working career, she was a waitress at the Hurlburt Field Officers’ Club.

Ms. Jergenson was a longtime member of Shalimar United Methodist Church. After her retirement, she enjoyed going on field trips with the church, picnics, and playing bingo. In June of 2019, she was reunited with her son whom she had given up for adoption in 1966 and had become close to him, his wife, and oldest sons over the past 16 months.

She is survived by her son, J. Terry Abernethy (Amy) of Tupelo, MS and their sons, Zack and Webb ; an aunt, Alice Livingston of Edina, MN; four first cousins, Patricia Staller of Iron Mountain, MI, David Peterson and Alan Paul Peterson of Fort Atkinson, WI, and Robert Peterson of Plantation, FL. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother Jane Betty Jergenson who died in 2014.

No services will be held as Ms. Jergenson desired to be cremated. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Shalimar United Methodist Church, 1 Old Ferry Road, Shalimar, FL, 32579.