Meet New Hampton Couple Who Won $2 Million Powerball Prize

Earlier this week we broke the news that a winning Powerball ticket was bought in New Hampton. Now, the ticket holder has come forward to claim that $2 million cash prize.

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News broke Tuesday that there was a new Powerball prize winner right here in Northeastern, Iowa. Officials said that a $2 million winning ticket was purchased at a convenience store in New Hampton, Iowa. Over the past twelve months, there have been a whole lot of lucky Iowans playing the lottery.

It seems like something is in the water in the Midwest.

Earlier this month a Powerball ticket worth more than $315 million was sold in Wisconsin.

One Waterloo woman won $100,000 after playing the lottery. Not even a full week later, yet another woman in Waterloo took home the big cash prize of $30,000. By the end of April, a third Waterloo woman had claimed a $20,000 payout. In total, $150,000 went directly into the pockets of several Cedar Valley residents. Another Waterloo man sweetened up the pot by winning another $100,000 in April.

A LaPorte City won big with the Iowa Lottery earlier this year. Ann Haraldson got very lucky when she played the state lottery scratch game "Bonus Crossword" and won $30,000. This winning ticket that she bought came from the Kwik tar on 841 South Street in Jesup.

Now, two Iowans are going home with some extra cash in their pocket.

On Thursday, Keith and Karla Elenz of New Hampton picked up the $2 million prize in Clive. Karla had been the one to play the lottery game and picked her own numbers. She bought the lucky ticket at the Casey's at 615 N. Linn Avenue in New Hampton, according to KWWL.

The Elenz's ticket that was drawn on Monday, January 10th was the only $2 million winner in the entire country, according to officials. It was only one number off from getting a cut of that major $26.8 million jackpot. The first five numbers matched the numbers drawn, winning a nice $1 million.

According to Iowa Lottery Blog, Karla opted to add the Power Play® option when sheplayed the numbers. This decision actually multiplied the prize at the Match 5 level to a grand total of $2 million.

Monday evening's Powerball numbers were: 14, 17, 18, 21, 27, 09. 

This happy couple plans to invest their winnings and continue working while also contributing to some local charities, according to Iowa Lottery.

"Life is short. I'm going to put my pants on the same way as I did yesterday," Karla said. "I'm going to work."