Freda Fackler

Freda B. Fackler, 103, of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, passed away on March 16, 2026. Born on August 17, 1922, in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, to Ingman and Friesa Benestad, who had emigrated from Norway in 1916, she spent her early years on the island enjoying a classic childhood filled with school in a one-room schoolhouse, helping at her mother’s Barnegat Inn, and family travels back to Norway. Her father served as mayor of Barnegat City from 1929 to 1937.

Freda graduated from Barnegat High School in 1939 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Ithaca College in just three years. She began her teaching career in New York and Collingswood before returning to the Jersey Shore. In 1946 she met William “Bill” Fackler, and they married on January 18, 1947. Together they shared a deep devotion and many travels across the United States and Norway. Freda taught physical education at Barnegat High School and became one of the original faculty members at Southern Regional High School in 1957, where she remained until her retirement in 1973. A passionate advocate for girls’ sports, she founded Sports Night for Girls and was remembered fondly by generations of students.

After retirement, Freda opened The Southwester, a ceramics studio in Surf City where she taught and sold her work. She lived in Ship Bottom, Tuckerton, and finally Little Egg Harbor, showing remarkable resilience after Superstorm Sandy destroyed her home. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill Fackler and her brother Torleaf Benestad. She is survived by her nephews John, Tom, and Jim Benestad, as well as her dear friends Lynn and Diane Gove.