She was born Jan. 14, 1909 in Bountiful, UT to William Levi and Edith Calista Waddoups Waite. She grew up and attended schools in Burley, Idaho graduating from Burley High School in May of 1927. She attended Albion State Normal School for 2 years where she majored in Primary Education. She graduated on June 10, 1929. She also attended Excelsis Beauty College, and Idaho State University.

She married Samuel C. Fairchild on Aug. 31, 1933 in Pocatello, ID. Calista and Sam taught school in Taylor, Edmunds, Ammon, and Pocatello. Calista taught school for 30 years. Sam died on August 1, 1966. In May 1977 she married Chester Oliver Hansen in Taylor, Idaho.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in the Primary, Mutual, and as the Librarian, Relief Society President, and as a Stake Missionary. She loved to serve others and enjoyed getting groups of friends together for parties. She also enjoyed needle point and crocheting, decorating for the Christmas Holiday, and attending the temple.

She was loved by all and was a teacher at heart - In her later years many a student would see her in public and thank her for the wonderful memories they had of the years she had taught them. This brought her great joy. In all she did, she did it well.

She is survived by her son Brent Waite Fairchild (Gayle) of San Diego, CA, and by her step-son Sherron Jay Hansen (Margene) of Idaho Falls, 10 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Waite, her mother Edith Waddoups, her first husband Samuel Fairchild, and by her second husband Chester Hansen.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2006, at the Taylor LDS Ward Chapel, 1101 N. 1250 E. in Taylor Idaho with Bishop Kenneth Fielding officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at the Taylor Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary in Idaho Falls. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.