Matthew Jahner

Funeral Mass for Matthew Jahner, 32, of Dickinson will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, ND, with Father Kregg Hochhalter celebrating.

Visitation for Matthew will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson, with a Rosary and Vigil service taking place at 6:00 p.m.  Matthew's family asks that those attending please wear Mathew's benefit shirts or Packers gear.

A new angel joined Heaven on April 17, 2024, after Matthew “Matt” Robert Jahner took his last breath, surrounded by his family, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, following a valiant 16-year battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 

Matthew was born on July 22, 1991, to Daniel Jahner and Katherine Long in Dickinson, ND. He was welcomed by his sister Erin. He attended Heart River Elementary School, Hagen Junior High School, and graduated from Dickinson High School in 2009.

Matthew’s life changed on December 18, 2008, when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 17. Without knowing what the future would hold, Matthew braved over 3 years of chemotherapy and was deemed ‘cured’ five years after his initial diagnosis. Unfortunately, God had other plans for Matthew. His leukemia returned not once or twice, but nine times from 2008-2024. In April 2016, he was accepted into an exclusive clinical trial utilizing immunotherapy at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, WA. Unbeknownst to him at the time, his participation in the research of CAR-T immunotherapy would lead to changes in leukemia treatment and is now saving lives around the world. Matthew’s inspirational story was even featured in Men’s Health magazine. When he learned his leukemia returned in 2017, rather than give up, he courageously sought further options. His treatment options were limited, and his case no longer applied to the statistics of previously researched treatment. His oncologists at Seattle Children’s Hospital deemed him a ‘pioneer of leukemia treatment’. He continued to participate in clinical research trials with each subsequent relapse in hopes his contributions to leukemia treatment would someday save lives.

Matthew was passionate about many things including basketball, hunting, fishing, the Green Bay Packers, and his family. Growing up, he enjoyed spending time at his family’s cabin on Lake Sakakawea, playing cards, dice, and board games, arguing with his sister, and spending time with his grandparents. He spent countless hours playing basketball outside and was always up to challenge anyone to a game of PIG or HORSE or ‘Around the World’. Of course, Matthew always had to win. He was active in Optimist Youth Basketball and competed in many 3-on-3 tournaments. At age 8, Matthew won the preliminary Elks Hoop Shoot Contest and went on to win the Lodge, District, and State contests as well, making it to the regional competition. His free throw was flawless. His dad taught him how to hunt and fish at a young age and he always looked forward to hunting season. He was always on a mission to get a ‘trophy buck’ and he believed he had the ‘perfect cast’, although some may argue that. He competed in countless fishing tournaments and took first place several times. In 2011, Matthew was granted a once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan fishing trip by his local Make-A-Wish Foundation. He and his father spent almost a week in Kodiak, AK and they fished every day. Matthew went on to become a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and had the opportunity to grant wishes to other children battling critical illnesses. Matthew participated in numerous hunting events on behalf of The Outdoor Adventure Foundation with the most memorable being an elk hunt in 2016. He was also in Cub Scouts, active in Relay for Life, and was a volunteer for youth flag football. Matthew had a way about him and many of the people he met on his adventures became lifelong friends. 

Matthew was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. His schedule revolved around their game schedule. He was able to visit Lambeau Field a couple of times and he always wore his Green Bay Packer gear with pride. More recently, Matthew started to collect football memorabilia and found enjoyment in collecting and trading football cards. 

Matthew did not let his leukemia define him. Throughout treatment, he continued to live life to its fullest. During high school, he worked for the Elks Lodge in Dickinson, ND. He moved to Bismarck, ND in 2011 and attended Bismarck State College online. He received his Associates Degree of Applied Science in Petroleum Production Technology in 2017. He worked for Dakota Community Bank & Trust for many years and was most recently employed by Capital Electric Co-op Inc.

Matthew met the love of his life, Samantha “Sam” Erhardt, in 2016, but their love story did not start until 2018. Matthew was quiet about his personal life and never told his family about Sam. It was not until he was hospitalized after his second stem-cell transplant that she reached out to his family. She flew out to Seattle, WA to be with him, and the rest is history. They were married on October 2, 2020, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Bismarck, ND, where they made their home. They welcomed their miracle baby girl, Ada, on April 16, 2023. Matthew was absolutely smitten with her. Ada was Matthew’s world, and his motivation to keep fighting. Sam, thank you for loving Matthew so fiercely. 

Matthew was a devoted and loving father, husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, and friend. To know him was to love him. His quick wit and heartwarming smile will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He always had a smile on his face, even through the hardest of times. He appreciated each and every person who supported him over the years. The pain of losing him is insurmountable but we know his legacy will live on. 

Matthew will be greatly missed by his wife, Sam, and daughter, Ada, both of Bismarck, ND; father, Daniel Jahner of Bismarck, ND; mother and step-father, Katherine and Levi Long of Dickinson, ND; sister, Erin (Colin) Bales of Bismarck, ND; sister, Hazel Long of Dickinson, ND; grandparents, Tony and Beverly Giese-Volesky of Dickinson, ND and Bud and Carol Long of Timberlake, SD; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He will also be missed by his fur babies Bentley and Blu.

Matthew was preceded in death by an unborn son, Lee William Jahner; grandparents, William “Bill” Giese, Theodore “Ted” Jahner, and Rodella “Della” Jahner.

In lieu of flowers, Matthew’s family requests donations be made to his medical benefit account at Dakota Community Bank & Trust which will be turned into a memorial account.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:23).