Lou Anna Halls Waite

Lou Anna Halls Waite July 28, 1943 – May 16, 2026 Lou Anna Halls Waite, age 82, passed away on May 16, 2026, in Ogden, Utah. She called Clearfield, Utah, her home for the final 35 years of her life.

Lou Anna (Lana) was born July 28, 1943, in Bremerton, Washington, to Gene Conrad Halls and Inez Marie Bowling Halls. Her birth came during World War II while her father was serving in the Navy and stationed in Italy. By the time he received the long-awaited letter informing him that he was the “father of a bouncing baby girl” she was already six weeks old.

In her early years, Lana lived in Seattle and Bremerton. She later spent time in New York City while her father was in port, staying with Gene’s cousin LaRue and making East Coast memories. After the war, the family settled in Mancos, Colorado, where Gene worked as a pharmacist and where both sets of Lana’s grandparents lived. At age 10, her family moved to Durango, Colorado. Lana Anna spent the balance of her school years in Durango and graduated from Durango High School in 1961. She especially loved her Seminary friend group.

Following graduation, Lana attended Brigham Young University beginning in the fall of 1961, where she studied English and Spanish. After three years at BYU, her bishop asked if she would accept a mission call. She did, and from 1964 to 1967 she served a full-time proselyting mission in Uruguay and Paraguay for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her mission became one of the defining experiences of her life. She loved the people, the language, and the work. While serving her mission she met a young missionary named Richard Bailey Waite, who would later become her husband. Her fellow missionaries appreciated her quick wit and subtle humor, even giving her the nickname “Razor Tongue,” especially when a few young elders needed a sharp but loving correction. Richard, by all accounts, was not exempt.

After her mission, Lana returned to BYU. She and Richard were sealed the following year in the Salt Lake Temple on September 5, 1967. Their first two children, Rick and Eilyn, were born while they were completing their education, and both Lana and Richard graduated from BYU in April 1971. Life then carried them through military years in Texas and later to Orem, Utah, where Cyndi and Laurie were born.

The family later lived in Clearfield, where David was born, and in Kaysville, where James was born, before returning back to Clearfield. Lana built a home centered on love, faith, learning, laughter, and late-night family visits. Their grandchildren loved spending time at Grandma’s house, playing games and staying up late while the adults visited.

Lana worked for 21 years at the Davis County WIC offices in Layton and Clearfield. She used her Spanish every day and loved serving the families who came through the office. Her Spanish remained beautiful and strong throughout her life. She was often complimented on her accent, vocabulary, and fluency, even by some of the nurses who cared for her near the end of her life. She also served in the Ogden Temple, where she often helped with the Spanish sessions.

Lana served faithfully in many ward and stake callings throughout her life. She completed what her family lovingly called the “Triple Crown,” serving as the Relief Society president, Young Women president, and Primary president. She also taught Sunday School, Relief Society, and Primary.

Lana had a lifelong love for sewing, quilting, crafts, decorating, and making things beautiful. Costumes were her specialty, and she delighted in creating quality clothing and costume pieces for family and friends. Her work included prom dresses, wedding party outfits, princess dresses, a Michael Jackson jacket, Star Wars costumes, a Lord Aragorn costume, and many other treasured creations. She also loved reading, especially about the English royal family, both modern and ancient.

Those who knew Lana knew her as genuine, kind, loving, and strong. She had a quick line ready when one was needed, a listening ear when someone needed comfort, and a quiet dignity that shaped the way she moved through the world. She taught her children and grandchildren how to love, how to be kind, and how to carry themselves with dignity and strength.

Lana is survived by her six children: Rick, Eilyn, Cyndi, Laurie, David (Becky) and James (Rochelle); 19 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. She is also survived by her siblings Greg Halls, Denna Gladden, Olive Driskell, Penny Tolman, Alicia Moreno, and Sarah Halls-Lucero.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene Halls and Inez Halls; her brother, Richard Halls; husband, Richard Waite, and her great-grandson, Peter Waite.

A viewing will be held on Friday, May 22, from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The Funeral services will be on Saturday, May 23, at 11:00am with a viewing prior to the service from 9:45am to 10:45am. All services will be held at the Clearfield North Stake Center, 151 N 1000 W, Clearfield Utah. Interment will take place Tuesday May 26, at Clinton City Cemetery at 11:00am.

Lana’s life was one of faith, family, service, humor, creativity, and love. She leaves behind a legacy stitched carefully and beautifully into the lives of all who knew her.