Jacob Owen Hynek, 14, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 8, 2024 with his parents by his side at Mountrail County Medical Center in Stanley, ND, after a courageous ten-month battle fighting cancer.

Jacob was born to Blair and Carol (Riley) Hynek on May 6, 2010, in Minot, North Dakota. He is the third of five siblings. He was baptized into the Catholic Church at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in Stanley, ND. On March 23, 2024, Jacob received the final sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Church and was confirmed. He chose his confirmation Saint to be St. Peregrine, the Patron Saint of Cancer. In Jacob’s words “I chose St. Peregrine because when he was diagnosed with cancer his faith in God was strong and unwavering. As I go through cancer treatments, I want to imitate St. Peregrine by striving for a strong and faithful relationship with our Father.” Jacob’s strong and unwavering faith was a motivation to many, especially during his battle against cancer. Jacob endured incredible pain and suffering throughout his illness and his faith only grew stronger because of it.

As a young child, Jacob was incredibly active and always on the go. You could find him riding bike, playing in mud puddles, and climbing trees. His love for Legos developed as a young child and continued until his passing. During the past few months Jacob completed an impressive amount of large Lego sets. He enjoyed solving Rubix Cubes, but even doing them behind his back was not a challenge for him. Jacob enjoyed watching Marvel movies, his favorite being Deadpool. He was a proud and faithful Minnesota Vikings fan. Jacob’s smile was infectious. Quick wit and one liners came easy for him, especially in the form of ‘dad’ jokes.

Jacob was a student at Stanley Junior High at the time of his passing. He enjoyed school and excelled at it. His favorite subjects were math and science. It was not uncommon for Jacob to compete in math meets, STEM programs, and spelling bees. Jacob even taught himself long division. While in school Jacob participated in football, basketball, and track. He enjoyed being a member of teams and being with his friends. Jacob would often say the best part about school were the friends he had made. Jacob treasured the close relationships he had developed with his friends and was grateful for their support throughout his cancer journey.

Jacob’s family is thankful he is no longer suffering nor in pain, but he will be dearly missed.

Jacob is survived by his parents, Blair and Carol; siblings, Jack, Ben, Abe and Ella; grandparents, Mike and Lauri Hynek of Stanley, ND, Dwayne and Barb Riley of Spicer, MN; aunts and uncles, Joe and Amanda Hynek of Ross, ND, Brian and Stefanie Riley of Sauk Centre, MN, Lisa and Jon Donarski of New Folden, MN; cousins, Trinity, Tessa, and Everett Hynek of Ross, ND, Ethan, Jenna, and Alyssa Riley of Sauk Centre, MN, Parker and Riley Donarski of New Folden, MN.