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KSL Team CoverageSusan Rivers, Daughter: "They went a different way than they normally would've taken."
A West Valley couple perished after their car got stuck in a remote section of central Utah. Reed and LoaFae Palmer were beloved by their friends, neighbors and family.
There were no clear signs or gates to keep people off the road. Highway 29 loops around Joe's Valley reservoir, but the pavement comes to an end. The dirt road will take you all the way through to Ephraim, but only in the summertime, something the Palmers probably didn't know.
The trip home began on Sunday. Reed and LoaFae Palmer, both 74-years-old, were in Orangeville for a missionary farewell. Emery County Sheriff Lamar Guymon believes the couple was on their way back home to West Valley, but wanted to avoid Price Canyon, so they attempted to take Highway 29 in a shortcut to Ephraim.
Sheriff Lamar Guymon: "It's snowpacked and it's snowed in and you can't get through there, even in a 4-wheel drive."
The dirt road is impassable in the winter. When the Palmer's Cadillac couldn't go any further, the decided to walk in search of help.
Sheriff Lamar Guymon: "Mr. Palmer walked a good distance, and he is not dressed, they were not dressed to be out in the cold weather."
The couple was found yesterday, frozen to death, about four miles from safety. Their car was found on Monday.
Sheriff Lamar Guymon: "This is always a sad situation. Any time you lose anybody for whatever reason, somebody suffers a loss."
The sheriff says if the couple had stayed in their car, they would likely have survived.
The couple had gone to Castledale to see one of their nieces before she left for an LDS mission. The family was waiting to hear from the couple after their trip and when they didn't, felt something was wrong.
In the couple's neighborhood the kids know Reed Palmer as the bicycle man. That's because he loved repairing bikes for kids, or selling them to the children at prices the families could always afford. Those who knew Reed and LoaFae Palmer say they had huge hearts and were always thinking of others.
Reed and LoaFae Palmer married when they were 18-years-old. Last week they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.
Susan Rivers, Daughter: "I'm grateful that they went together because we had already talked about how hard it would be if one had gone before the other."
The couple had four daughters who looked up to their parents. So did friends in the community.
Susan: "My dad would do anything for anyone."
David Jones, Neighbor & Friend: "Reed Palmer is without a doubt the most generous man I have ever known in my life."
Reed was retired and spent a lot of his time fixing up bikes for kids in the neighborhood.
David Jones: "It just gave him so much joy to see kids riding around on his bikes, and a hug was all the payment that he needed."
LoaFae was very artistic and loved to paint.
Susan: "She paints, she does crafts, makes things, sews. Very good seamstress."
Those who knew the couple say they were always giving to their friends and encouraging those around them.
David: "He was the cornerstone of our community here. Made everybody, I'm sorry (wiping away tears), he made everyone feel really good about themselves."
Though friends and family are stunned at what happened, those who love the Palmers say the couple will live on in their memories.
David: "I loved him dearly. He was a great guy. Good friend. I'll miss him a lot."
The family told KSL they were kind of surprised that Reed and LoaFae got out of the car to walk, but they believe they probably did that because the heater on their car didn't work.
Tragedies like these can often be avoided by adhering to one safety rule--if you're ever stranded, stay in your car.
Ann Evans, State Parks OHV Education Specialist: "That's what people will be looking for. We see so many people, they get stranded or stuck and they start walking out and then they're harder to find when search and rescue come to find them."
Those who teach winter survival skills say it's a good idea to carry gear in your trunk, including a first aid kit, food and water, warm clothes and a wool blanket.
Other good items to have are hand warmers, which come in larger sizes, a flashlight, flares to let off in case of emergency and a GPS unit.
It's also important to tell someone your specific travel plans. Carry a charged cell phone with you and get in the habit of keeping your gas tank full. If you do get stranded, turn your car on intermittently to stay warm, but conserve gas.
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The Palmer family has given a lot to the community, and was not financially prepared for this catastrophe. Daughter, Sheryl Bristol (Palmer, is the executer of their estate. This has put another hardship for the family already devastated by their loss. They could use some assistance. Donations for the Reed and LoaFae Palmer family can be sent to the Utah First Credit Union, Reed and LoaFae Palmer Relief Fund care of Sheryl Bristol.
