Iowa Lottery

Fort Madison Man Has Hard Time Believing He'd Won A $50,000 Lottery Prize

Ken Curtiss Wins Top Prize Playing "Aces High" Scratch Ticket

  Hear Ken tell his story.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - A Fort Madison man said when his "Aces High" ticket revealed a $50,000 top prize, he couldn't help feeling disbelief.

Ken Curtiss, 48, was alone when he scratched the ticket. He immediately shared the news with his wife, Trisha, and then called extended family.

"They're really happy for us," Curtiss said.

Curtiss, who is a railroad conductor, said he purchased the ticket as sort of an afterthought.

"That was the first Aces High ticket I've ever bought," he said as he claimed his prize Tuesday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids.

Curtiss said he plans to use some of his winnings to pay bills and plans to save the rest.

Curtiss purchased his winning ticket at Hy-Vee Gas, 2632 Ave. L in Fort Madison.