Tanner Holst was a good friend of Will's. They met and worked together on staff at Silver Moccasin National Youth Leadership Training Camp (part of the Boy Scouts of America). Tanner was an amazing young man--a natural leader, brilliant student, excellent musician (he played the bassoon at Weber State), and he embodied the scout law. Tanner was trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. You can also see that he was handsome and adventurous.
Tanner died of hemolytic strep (an infection that attacks the blood cells). He had the flu a couple of weeks ago and got pneumonia, but still went to school on Wednesday. Thursday he stopped breathing, and his parents thought he was having an asthma attack and rushed him to the hospital. He was life-flighted to Primary Children's Hospital where the physicians did all they could to try to save his life. The infection had progressed too far, though, and he passed away on Friday.
The funeral is today, and Jared took Will and John out of school to attend. Will is going to participate in an honor trail of scouting ceremony for Tanner at the funeral and John will play his bagpipes at the graveside. I wish I could go. I wish I could put my arms around Tanner's mother and tell her what an amazing son she has. I would tell her how much my sons have admired and looked up to him and what an extensive influence he has had in the world in such a short time. 17 years is too short for a mother to enjoy a son!! I am so thankful for my knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his Plan of Salvation for us. I know that we will see Tanner again and that his family will be together forever.
Thanks for your life and example, Tanner. We love and miss you.
