Sven A. Kristofferson

Sven Allan Kristofferson, aged 91, of Lakeville, MA, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 12, 2025, at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, MA, following a brief period of declining health. Born on July 9, 1934, in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Sven Kristofferson Sr. and Ilene (Lake) Kristofferson.

A proud graduate of Dighton High School, class of 1952, Sven dedicated 40 years of his life as a machine operator at Stillwater Fasteners. A distinguished veteran, he served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1957. It was during his service at Mildenhall Air Force Base in the United Kingdom that he met his beloved wife, Pamela, with whom he joyfully shared nearly 68 years of marriage, celebrating their anniversary in October.

Sven was deeply rooted in his community and was a cherished member of the Freetown Senior Club. He embraced life with passion, enjoying pheasant hunting with his devoted dogs, fishing on his boats, and ten-pin bowling at local lanes in Fairhaven and New Bedford. Sven's remarkable talent as a woodcarver brought joy to many; he was particularly known for his lifelike carvings of seabirds, ducks, and decoys. In April 1999, his exceptional red-breasted merganser carving earned second place in its class at the World Championship of Bird Carving Competition in Ocean City, Maryland.

A lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox, Sven's enthusiasm for the game was rivaled only by his commitment to his wife Pamela and his faith. He and Pamela were longstanding members of the East Freetown Congregational Christian Church, where he served faithfully as a deacon and trustee.

Sven is survived by his devoted wife Pamela, their two daughters, Cathy and Joanne, and her husband Jay. He will be lovingly remembered by his grandsons, Alex and Eric Fredkin, as well as his sister, Linda Staples, cousin, Wesley Lake, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Rolf.

Memorial visitation for Sven will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the East Freetown Congregational Christian Church, located at 4 Washburn Road, East Freetown, MA. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 PM, with a collation to immediately follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in memory of Sven to be made to the East Freetown Congregational Christian Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 825, East Freetown, MA 02717.

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