Media-ready jpg image of Mark Kreutzer

Microsoft Word document of news release

DATE: September 22, 2009
CONTACT: Karie Lowe (785) 296-5744, karie.lowe@kslottery.net

De Soto Resident Wins $10,000 Powerball Prize

TOPEKA, KAN. – You might say Mark Kreutzer is the epitome of a great neighbor. The De Soto resident has been good friends with the neighbors that have lived on each side of his house for years. In fact, Kreutzer has told both neighbors that if he ever wins the Powerball jackpot, he’ll share his winnings and they’ll all retire together. He came one number away from making that statement a reality when he matched four numbers plus the Powerball, winning a $10,000 cash prize in the September 19 drawing.

“I buy Powerball tickets for every Wednesday and Saturday drawing,” explained Kreutzer. “When I buy tickets for the Wednesday drawing, the winnings are just for me. When I get tickets for the Saturday drawing, I always include my neighbors and buy a $3 Quick Pick ticket. If I were to win the jackpot, we’d all be able to retire.”

Kreutzer has instructed his neighbors, Jeff and Troy, if he ever wins a jackpot he’ll call them at work on Monday, so they can put in their two weeks’ notice.

“I always check my Saturday ticket when I get off work on Monday afternoon,” said Kreutzer. “This Monday when I checked my ticket on a Check-A-Ticket machine it read, ‘Sign back of ticket. Redeem at Lottery.’ I thought the machine must be broken, so I asked the store clerk to check my ticket for me. When she scanned it, she told me I had won over $600 and had me sign the back of my ticket. I figured I must have won $1,000, but I wasn’t sure. I went home and decided to look on the Lottery’s website and that’s when I realized I’d won $10,000.”

Since Kreutzer’s wife Pam was still at work, he celebrated his big win with his dog.

“I danced around the house with my dog, I was so excited,” said Kreutzer. “My dog thought I’d gone nuts.”

Once Kreutzer settled down, he called his wife and neighbors to share the news.

“My wife drives a school bus and can’t answer the phone while she’s driving, so she didn’t answer,” said Kreutzer. “My next call was to my boss who was very happy for me, and then I called my neighbor Troy. When he answered the phone I said, ‘Remember when I told you I’d call if I ever won the Powerball jackpot. Well that time isn’t now, but I won $10,000!”

Even though he didn’t win the jackpot, Kreutzer still plans to share his winnings with his neighbors by having a big BBQ. He plans to use the rest of his winnings to pay bills.

The winning ticket was purchased at Meiners’ Market, LLC, located at 34200 Commerce Dr. in De Soto.