'A Blessing from My Dad': Central Iowa Man Wins $100,000 Just Weeks after Father's Death
Thomas O'Hollearn Claims Large Prize in Wednesday's Drawing
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CLIVE, Iowa — A central Iowa man who won a $100,000 Powerball® prize says he believes his big win was more than just luck.
"My dad just passed away three weeks ago," Thomas O'Hollearn said on Thursday as he claimed his prize at lottery headquarters in Clive. "I thought maybe it was a blessing from him. It was a blessing from my dad."
O'Hollearn, 56, of Johnston, matched four of five white balls and the Powerball in Wednesday's drawing. He was one number away from winning that night's $417.9 million jackpot.
He bought his winning ticket at Hy-Vee, 555 S. 51st St. in West Des Moines, after the big jackpot caught his eye.
"It was up to a lot of money, so I thought, 'Well, I'll get a couple easy-pick (tickets),'" he said. "And here I am!"
O'Hollearn, who works for a freight company, checked his ticket at a local retailer between deliveries the next morning. That's when he realized he'd won big.
"I couldn't believe it. I was just thrilled," he said. "I called my mom right away, and my brother and my son. We were all excited."
The winning numbers in Wednesday's drawing were 8-11-21-49-59 and Powerball 15. The Power Play number was 2.
The jackpot for Saturday's drawing now stands at an estimated $444 million.
O'Hollearn, who plans to save and invest his winnings for retirement, said he'll always remember his big lottery win.
"I'd win $3 here, or $15 there, but I never thought I'd win this money," he said. "It's a dream come true."
Players in $2 Powerball choose their first five numbers from a pool of 69, and another number – called the Powerball – from a separate pool of 26. The Power Play option is available for an extra $1 per play.
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