Iowa Lottery

Shenandoah Man Wins An Early Birthday Present of $25,000

Jerry Kellison Wins Top Prize Playing The "Bingo Night" Scratch Game

  Hear Jerry tell his story.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - Just weeks before his 67th birthday, a Shenandoah man won the top prize of $25,000 playing the "Bingo Night" instant-scratch game.

Jerry Kellison normally plays the "Bingo Times 10" scratch game, but the Kum & Go where he purchased his winning ticket was sold out, so he bought a Bingo Night ticket, along with a few others, instead.

"They didn't have the ticket I usually get, so I just picked up one of the $2 Bingo Night ones," explained Kellison Wednesday as he claimed his prize at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Council Bluffs.

"I took it to work and I usually get there a half hour before I go to work, so I scratched it off then and I said, 'Ooohhh!'" chuckled Kellison.

He purchased his winning ticket at Kum & Go, 1303 W. Sheridan in Shenandoah.

Kellison shared the news with his wife, Gail, who celebrated with tears of joy, and with good reason.

"She needs eye surgery," explained Kellison, a security guard for the Eaton Corporation transmission plant.

He also shared the news with some of his co-workers. After explaining how the ticket worked, they finally believed him.

Kellison said after his wife's eye surgery, he has a few more ideas for his winnings.

"I'll pay off a couple credit cards," said Kellison. "Pay for a trip I'm taking in December down to Orlando."

Kellison says he'll keep trying his luck with the lottery.

And his advice for other players: "Just keep on playing."