Mom Felt ‘Something Was Wrong’ Before Son Disappeared Ice Surfing
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Sheri Ford, the mother of Aaron Duenke, shared with PEOPLE her deep sense of foreboding before her son’s tragic disappearance while ice surfing on the Missouri River in 2022. According to Ford, the moment her son went missing, his two children were left devastated by the loss. The long, agonising wait for closure finally ended when Aaron’s remains were discovered, offering Ford a semblance of comfort in the knowledge that he perished engaging in an activity he dearly loved.
The day before Aaron went missing, Sheri Ford, a healthcare worker, had a premonition that all was not well with her son, Aaron Duenke. A Facebook Live post by Aaron, announcing his plan to embark on a daring journey down the Missouri River on a block of ice, left her deeply concerned. This was not the first time Aaron had undertaken such an adventure, having previously gone ice surfing successfully. Sheri Ford’s last interaction with her son was a message expressing her unease about his latest escapade.
Following her workday, the sense of unease grew as Sheri tried unsuccessfully to contact Aaron, who had set out on the icy river. When she failed to reach him, panic set in, compounded by the realisation that Aaron hadn’t shown up for his scheduled pickup by his grandmother. This triggered a frantic weeks-long search, culminating in the discovery of Aaron’s remains over two years later near Chesterfield, confirmed by the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Aaron Duenke, a nature enthusiast and adventure seeker from Washington, Mo., spent the summer before his tragic demise bonding with his two children, Lucas, aged 11, and Lola, aged 9, through outdoor activities and family trips. Sheri Ford recalls how devastated the children were by their father’s disappearance, unable to comprehend the loss of a beloved parent. As the family grappled with the aftermath, Sheri’s close friend Becky Boucher set up a GoFundMe page to support Aaron’s grieving children.
Despite his personal struggles with health issues, including spina bifida and bipolar disorder, Aaron found solace in nature and the great outdoors. An empathetic soul, he constantly sought to bring joy to others, as evidenced by his selfless acts of kindness, such as assisting fellow river racers. Aaron’s legacy resonates through his surviving siblings and his older brother Curtis, who affectionately describes his bond with Aaron and his extraordinary zest for life.
As the family navigates the profound loss of Aaron, his children have relocated to Arizona with their mother, Brooke Duenke, aiming to rebuild their lives closer to maternal family support. Sheri Ford reflects on finding comfort in the fact that Aaron met his end on the waters he cherished, viewing it as another chapter in his adventurous spirit. The enduring memory of Aaron Duenke lives on, cherished by his loved ones for the joy and kindness he brought into their lives.
The heartbreaking story of Aaron Duenke serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring impact of love and compassion in the face of loss. Sheri Ford’s journey through grief and remembrance underscores the resilience of the human spirit in the wake of tragedy. The legacy of Aaron Duenke, a father, son, and brother, remains etched in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, a testament to a life lived with passion and generosity.