Freda Fackler

Freda B. Fackler, 103 of Little Egg Harbor, NJ passed away on Saturday March 16, 2026. Born in Barnegat Light, NJ she lived in Ship Bottom, Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor. She worked as a physical education teacher at Southern Regional High School until retiring in 1973.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill Fackler and brother Torleaf Benestad.

She is survived by her nephews John, Tom and Jim Benestad as well as her close family friends Lynn and Diane Gove.

Services for Freda are private.

(The following was written for Freda Fackler's 100th Birthday)

Born August 17, 1922 to Ingman Benestad and Friesa Gullasteo from Kristianand & Stavange, Norway.

They emigrated to the USA in 1916, came to Brooklyn and eventually to Manasquan, NJ. They married and moved to Barnegat City, NJ (which today is Barnegat Light). Ingman’s business was commercial fishing, so spring, summer and fall were spent in Barnegat City while winters were spent in Florida.

Ingman and Friesa had two children. Torleaf Benested was born April 15, 1917 and Freda Benestad was born August 17, 1922. Both children attended Barnegat City Schoolhouse (a one room school house) which today is Barnegat Light museum. The children had a typical island childhood and as a teenager, Freda worked various jobs at the Barnegat Inn which her mother owned and operated. Their father became Mayor of Barnegat City from 1929-1937. The family enjoyed travel back to Norway on several occasions.

Freda attended Barnegat High School (in Barnegat) on the mainland and graduated in 1939. She went to Ithaca College in New York and received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1943. She completed college in 3 years! While at Ithaca she met her lifelong friend, Olga Davis. Olga also turned 100 years this past January. The friends travelled together and enjoyed life. After graduation Freda taught physical education briefly in New York State but abided to her father’s wishes, returned to NJ and taught in Collingswood.

During the summer of 1946, Freda met the love of her life, William (Bill) Fackler. Bill lived on Cedar Bonnett Island where his father owned “Chalie’s Bar (which today is the Dutchman’s). They married January 18, 1947. The commute to Collingswood was difficult so after one year Freda was offered a teaching position by the Beach Haven School principal Sue Salmons to teach 7th and 8th grades. She returned to teach at her alma mater Barnegat High School in 1950 and taught physical education there until January of 1957. September 1957, she became one of the original teachers at the newly built Southern Regional High School. She taught girls physical education at SRHS until she retired in January 1973. Freda was an excellent teacher and advocate for girls sports. She established Sports Night for Girls and remains beloved by her students.

Bill and Freda enjoyed travel throughout the US and Norway. They lived in Ship Bottom until the mid 1970’s when they moved to Nugentown Rd in Little Egg Harbor followed by a move to Absecon Terrace in Tuckerton. Unfortunately, Superstorm Sandy destroyed their home and Freda now lives in Sunrise Bay, Little Egg Harbor. Bill and Freda were devoted to each other. Bill passed away December 28, 2012. Freda misses him terribly.

Freda is very proud of her nephews, James Benestad of Massachusetts, Monsignor Thomas Benestad of Florida and John Benestad of Florida.

After retiring from teaching, Freda opened a ceramic business on Surf City. The “Southwester” teaches and sells ceramics.

Another love in her life was “Gussy” the human cat. Gussy was born in Ship Bottom and travelled with Bill and Freda to both Nugentown Road and Absecon Terrace.

Freda has never missed a hair appointment, still drives and is a wonderful example of a life well lived!!