Iowa Lottery

Fort Dodge Woman Cashes In $5-Winning Ticket For Another One, Wins Top Prize

Tiffany Conell Wins Top Prize of $50,000 Playing the "Super Crossword" Scratch Game

  Hear Tiffany tell her story.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - A Fort Dodge woman won a $5 prize on her "Super Crossword" instant-scratch game, decided to cash it in for another one, and ended up winning the 17th of 24 top prizes of $50,000.

Tiffany Conell, 31, said she couldn't really believe it when she scratched her ticket.

"I counted nine at first and I'm like, 'Oh, that's even cool,' because it's like, $5,000. And then I was like, 'Oh my gosh, there's a tenth one!'" Conell said.

Conell's husband, Aaron, walked in the door just then, so she asked him to double-check the ticket for her.

"I said, 'You need to count this and tell me that this is a $50,000 winning ticket,'" Conell said. "Sure enough, we both counted the same number of words."

Conell said this win comes at a great time, as it will help them to finish purchasing their home.

"I couldn't believe it," she said. "I was just like, 'Whoa!' I would've been happy with five thousand."

Conell, who is a personal assistant at Northwoods Living, Inc. in Fort Dodge, claimed her prize Friday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Storm Lake. She purchased the winning ticket at Kum & Go, 1601 Fifth Ave. S. in Fort Dodge. She said they had fun telling their kids - especially the five-year-old.

"She's like, 'Mom, I love you the most. You want to know why?'" Conell said with a laugh. "And I said, 'Well don't tell me it's because of the money because I'm your mom and you'll always love me!'"

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