A Kearney woman missing since Friday has been found alive.

It happened as community members gathered to form a search party for Virginia Wempen.

The 75-year-old had recent health problems that caused her to be confused.

She took off in a car on Friday after not driving for a decade.

And after five days, it was against the odds that this would have a good outcome.

But at around noon on Wednesday, Wempen was found three miles north of Amherst.

"The probability is not good. It's a miracle that we found her alive," said Derek Payton, of the Kearney Police Department.

Tears of joy flowed as friends and family learned Wempen was found.

But just minutes before, tears of stress and worry could still be seen as search parties gathered north of Kearney.

"We've been out almost every night looking for her. We just want her home," said Wempen's son-in-law, Scott Runnells.

It's that search that led to a break through in the case.

"We hadn't had any clues from anybody for a long time and we just happened to turn out fliers [Tuesday] night when we were driving around," said Wempen's daughter, Angie Runnells.

"They stopped at a couple's house at 130th and YDC Road, and from the flyer they positively I.D.'d Virgina Wempen as being the vehicle they had seen in the ditch on Friday afternoon," said Payton.

A helicopter spotted the missing car from the air on a field road and authorities on the ground soon found the missing woman.

"We were worried that we were going to find her and it was going to be too late but you know, you always keep that hope in your mind that you find her and everythings going to be great and it is," said Angie.

"It feels terrific," said Payton. "I took the initial report from the family on Friday, and to be able to find her alive 5 days later and through the cold nights we've had, it's a tremendous weight off my shoulders and I'm so glad we could get this done for the family."

Authorities say Wempen was found conscious and alert.

She was taken by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

She was listed in good condition Wednesday afternoon.