DES MOINES MAN WINS FIRST $250,000 PRIZE
IN LOTTERY'S 'LUCKY DIAMONDS' SCRATCH GAME

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Russ Twelmeyer Admits He Didn't Sleep Well Before Claiming Prize

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines man admitted he didn’t sleep well Tuesday night as he waited to claim a $250,000 lottery prize.

"To be honest with you, it's the first time I did not get a good night's sleep," Russ Twelmeyer said with a laugh as he claimed his prize Wednesday morning at lottery headquarters in Des Moines. "I was just a little nervous. In fact, I got up in the middle of the night and made sure it was still tucked away where it was supposed to be!"

Twelmeyer, 68, who retired after a career working in the Allied Insurance data center, said he bought some tickets in the "Lucky Diamonds" instant-scratch game at Quik Trip, 4024 Fleur Dr. in Des Moines, on his way to Francie's, a local restaurant that is his favorite hang-out. He played the scratch tickets at the restaurant.

"And on the last one, when I scratched it, I thought it was $250," he said. "And then I thought it was $2,500, so I decided to put my 'specs' on. And I realized there were four zeroes after the 25!"

Twelmeyer said he took the lucky ticket home, signed it, put it in a safe place and then returned to the restaurant to finish the Pepsi he'd ordered.

"I did e-mail my financial planner last night and he called me back and he couldn't believe my fortunate outcome," he said. "And I believe that he has some safe havens in mind, if you will. It's something nice and enjoyable to have after taking a beating like I'm sure everyone else has during this economic time. So, I'm very fortunate and very thankful for that."

Twelmeyer said he and his wife, Jean, have two sons and five grandchildren and he predicts there will be some presents in their future.

"I'm sure my wife will find things to get for them!" he said.

Twelmeyer said he was born and raised in Hawaii, so his winnings will help with travels there.

"I think it might help us to make another trip back home as we did last year for my 50th high school reunion," he said. "So, it will come in very handy in that respect."

Twelmeyer said he also was sure to thank the convenience store clerk who sold him the winning ticket.

"I gave her a $100 tip because without her, I may not have won!" he said.

Lucky Diamonds is a $10 scratch game. Players try to match any of "your numbers" to the "winning numbers" in the play area on each ticket. Players who find the "double diamond" symbol win double the prize shown. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are 1 in 3.18.

Twelmeyer claimed the first of 17 top prizes of $250,000 that are available in the game. Eighty-two prizes of $5,000 remain unclaimed in Lucky Diamonds along with more than 1,200 prizes of $500.

Since the Iowa Lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.2 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.1 billion for state programs.