A man in Iowa unknowingly became a millionaire before heading back to the store for more lottery tickets — and it took several days for the reality to sink in.
Ron Rothe, 73, from Denison, purchased a winning lottery ticket on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Kimmes Denison Country Store, according to an Iowa Lottery news release. For nearly a week, he remained unaware of his fortune, even after hearing reports that someone nearby had won a $1 million prize.
“We had heard rumors that so-and-so won, so we never really even thought about it,” he said.
When Rothe returned to the store a week later to buy more tickets, he asked the clerk to scan his old ones.
“She comes back with the manager, a big smile on her face, sticks her hand out and goes, ‘Congratulations!’ ” Rothe recalled. “I said, ‘For what?’ She goes, ‘You won a million dollars!’ It’s like, ‘OK?!’ ”
Still in disbelief, Rothe took the ticket and receipt to his wife’s hair salon to share the news. “She goes, ‘Oh, you won a thousand dollars!’ ” he said. “I go, ‘No.’ She looks again and goes, ‘A million?!’ ”
Pat, Rothe’s wife of 53 years, admitted the shock still hasn’t worn off. “I’m still not sure it’s really sunk in, if you want to know the truth,” she said. “It has taken some time for us to get past the basic shock.”
The couple plans to use their winnings for home improvements, estate planning, charitable giving, and college funds for their two grandchildren.
Kimmes Denison Country Store will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Iowa Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-522-4700 or visit gamtalk.org.
