Taylor Duane Hohlstein, son of Kerri (Bretton) Bouchard, was born April 18, 1994 in Holdrege, Nebraska. He lost his courageous battle with cancer and pneumonia on February 26, 2011 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 16.

Taylor attended elementary and junior high school in Phillipsburg, serving as the Manager for his eighth grade football team. He was currently a Junior at Phillipsburg High School and was an active member of Teens for Christ, Awanas, and FCCLA.

He loved working in wood shop class, playing video games, listening to country music, cruising in his car, and hangin' with his friends. On most Monday nights you could find him in front of the TV watching WWE and cheering for John Cena, Randy Horton or Steve Austin. He would say his favorite food was lasagna, but Grandma could never keep cookies in the house when he was around, either!

No one could have guessed in July of last year that Taylor would be fighting for his life in six months time. The tumor found on his upper right arm was an extremely aggressive form of cancer and was quickly destroying the bone. Having his arm amputated was a constant fear and worry, so Taylor used his time trying to figure out how to play video games and text on his phone with just one hand. Needless to say, it didn't take long before he was holding the remote between his knees and punching buttons with his left hand.

His inner strength and persistence helped him focus on the positive things in his life and prepare for the challenges ahead. He was a thoughtful and caring young man who loved to laugh and who enjoyed "picking on" his brothers and sister. Taylor was a loving son who was cherished by his family and friends. His kind heart and giving spirit will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his mother & stepfather, Kerri & John Bouchard, brothers, Tyler Hohlstein and Anthony Bouchard and sister, Ashley Bouchard, all of Phillipsburg, KS; his Grandpa, Roy Bretton and Great-Grandma, Ethel Bretton, also of Phillipsburg; his Grandma, Tanya Reyes, of Garden City, KS; his aunt, Mindi Crain of Phillipsburg; his uncle, Tracy Bretton of Plainville, KS; a great uncle, Rex Bretton of Phillipsburg; and numerous cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center with Dan Klinger & Jay Brandon officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday & Wed. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Taylor Hohlstein Memorial Fund.