Swiss Couple Found Frozen in Glacier After 75 Years Finally Laid to Rest

A poignant story of love, loss, and the passage of time has come to a close in Switzerland. The remains of Marcelin Dumoulin and his wife, Francine, who disappeared on August 15, 1942, have been recovered from the Tsanfleuron Glacier and finally laid to rest. The couple, aged 40 and 37 at the time of their disappearance, vanished while setting out on foot to feed their animals in the Swiss Alps.

Couple Frozen in Glacier After 75 Years Decades of Uncertainty

For nearly 75 years, their family lived with the uncertainty of their fate. Their daughter, Marceline Udry-Dumoulin, now 79, shared that she and her siblings “spent our whole lives looking for them, without stopping.” The family always held onto the hope that they could one day provide their parents with a proper funeral. Couple Frozen in Glacier After 75 Years

Discovery on the Glacier

The bodies were discovered on the Tsanfleuron Glacier, situated 2,615 meters (approximately 8,580 feet) above sea level. A worker from an adventure resort company stumbled upon the perfectly preserved remains near a ski lift. According to Glacier 3000 director Bernhard Tschannen, the couple likely fell into a crevasse and remained there for decades. As the glacier receded due to climate change, it released their bodies.

A Daughter’s Closure

The discovery brought a mix of emotions for Marceline Udry-Dumoulin, offering closure after decades of searching. In an interview with Le Matin newspaper, she revealed that her mother had rarely accompanied her father on such excursions due to her frequent pregnancies and the challenging conditions of the glacier.

A Funeral of Hope

The funeral was held in a church in Saviese, southwestern Switzerland. Despite the somber occasion, Marceline chose to wear white instead of black, symbolizing the hope she never lost throughout the years. While five of the couple’s seven children have passed away, two daughters were present at the funeral to bid their parents a final farewell.

A Stark Reminder of Climate Change

This discovery serves as a stark reminder of the impact of climate change. Swiss police have noted that the receding glaciers are increasingly revealing the bodies of individuals who have been lost for decades.

This story is a touching reminder of the enduring power of family and the hope that can persist even in the face of unimaginable loss. After 75 years, Marcelin and Francine Dumoulin have finally been reunited, and their family can find solace in knowing their long search has come to an end.

Citations: [1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/glacier-bodies-switzerland-tsanfleuron-dumoulin-swiss-alps-buried/