Newlyweds Come To Aid Of Elderly Couple

Newlyweds from Orchard — who were just married hours earlier — came to the aid of an elderly couple last week, leaving them with a lasting impression of kindness.

Bernard and Carolyn Holmberg of Spencer, who will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary in August, were traveling home Wednesday night from Norfolk when they had a chance encounter with the newlyweds.

After a day of doctor’s appointments, the Holmberg’s Taurus struck a deer just west of Neligh on Highway 275 near Bomgaars. It was about 9 p.m. and Carolyn Holmberg said things had taken longer than planned, so they unexpectedly were traveling after dark.

After striking the deer, the hood of their car popped up. Their headlight was also damaged. The 81- and 75-year-old pondered what to do. That’s when a car pulled over to help, and Warren and Tammy Harvey of Orchard immediately offered assistance.

Warren Harvey said he normally takes a different route home, but after signing marriage papers and having supper at the Imperial II Steakhouse, they opted to take Highway 275 home. As it turned out, Harvey said he was glad they did.

“I could see the hood up on their windshield as we drove by. We had to turn around and go back and help them,” Harvey said. “We could tell they were really having problems.”

As Warren Harvey worked to secure the hood of the damaged car, he needed to harness the hood to the bumper. That’s when he reached for his necktie, which was the same time Carolyn Holmberg realized just how special the day was for the Harveys.

“We needed to tie down the hood, so he took his tie off to tie it down,” she said. “I asked him, ‘Did you just come from a wedding?’ That’s when he told me, ‘Yes, ours.’ ”

Harvey laughed while describing his struggle with trying to use his necktie.

“It just wasn’t enough to keep the hood down,” he said with a chuckle. “It just wouldn’t hold it. I ended up having to go get a strap in town, which was tough because almost everything was closed. I finally found one at Cubby’s, but I still kept the tie around the bumper.”

The Harvey’s act of kindness didn’t stop with the hood. Holmberg said the Orchard couple opted to escort them back to Spencer to ensure they arrived safely. Tammy Harvey drove the damaged car and the Holmbergs back to Spencer with Warren Harvey following behind in their vehicle with his flashers on. At about 50 miles per hour, they made the trek to Spencer, just to turn around and go home to Orchard.

“They are such awesome people,” Harvey said of the Holmbergs. “Their car took such a horrific hit from the deer, and we really didn’t want to leave them after the hood was tied down. Their lights weren’t the best, and we wanted to make sure they got home ok.”

During the ride back to Spencer, the Holmbergs inquired about a future wedding reception for the newlyweds and even requested an invitation since they were so impressed by their kindheartedness.

“They just went over and above everything most people would have done,” Holmberg said. “I really want people to know there are good people out there.”