$100,000 Powerball Winner Claimed at Last

9/5/2001-The September 5 Powerball drawing produced a $100,000 winner in Nebraska, which went unclaimed for almost seven full weeks.

On September 5, Marlene Leece of Phillips stopped at the Pump & Pantry on Stolley Park Road in Grand Island to buy gas, Nebraska Lottery tickets, and other items in preparation for a vacation she and her husband were taking.

The trio (the Leeces and the ticket) traveled all over the Midwest visiting relatives and various scenic spots, unaware that $100,000 was practically sitting in Marlene’s purse.

After returning home, Marlene took her tickets to a Nebraska Lottery retailer to have them checked. The clerk informed her that she had won big. Unconvinced, the Leeces went to the offices of the Grand Island Independent and purchased a back issue to check their numbers.

Sure enough, the paper showed the winning numbers for September 5 to be 14, 18, 24, 33, 42, and a Powerball of 8. Leece’s ticket, a quick pick, had matched all numbers but the Powerball, winning $100,000. Had she matched the Powerball as well, she would have won the $21 million jackpot.

As she claimed her prize at Nebraska Lottery headquarters on October 23, Leece told Nebraska Lottery officials that she "jumped for joy" when she found out that she won. When asked about plans for the prize, Leece said that she intends to, "let it all sink in first," before deciding what to do with her winnings.

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Published on 10/24/2003