Store Clerk Alerts Webster City Woman Of Big Lottery Win

DES MOINES, Iowa - It pays to double-check your work.

Jeri Elliott of Webster City experienced this first-hand when she tried to redeem what she thought was a $25 prize on her winning "Super Crossword" scratch ticket. In the end, Elliott claimed the 10th of 37 top prizes of $50,000 available in the game.

A store clerk at Kum & Go, 1803 Superior St. in Webster City informed Elliott of her big lottery win Monday. Elliott said she purchased her winning ticket at the same store earlier this month.

"(The clerk) came out and she goes, 'You're not going to believe this.' I said, 'Oh, I didn't win anything did I?' She goes, 'Well, yeah you did - look what you won!'" Elliott told lottery employees Tuesday as she claimed her prize at the lottery's regional office in Mason City.

The 63-year-old veterinarian said she got home late from a call and kept falling asleep as she was scratching off her ticket. Elliott missed scratching off five words, and with it included the game's top prize of $50,000.

"I was so tired the night I was doing it and I always go back and recheck and I didn't that night," she said. "I just threw it on my desk and about 10 days later I thought, 'I'll just turn this in.'"

Elliott said her winnings will be used to buy a newer vehicle.