Written by
The Associated Press
ROSEVILLE, Minn. - A Minnesota couple is a $2.61 million richer tonight but don't expect them, to go on a big spending spree.
Sandy and Don Conrad of Grand Rapids, Minn., accepted a symbolic oversized check Wednesday at Minnesota State Lottery headquarters.
Sandy Conrad purchased the winning ticket Saturday at the River Road Market in Grand Rapids. She says she went to work Monday and found out that someone in Itasca County had won Hot Lotto, but she didn't check the numbers until she got home.
She says she couldn't believe it when her numbers matched the numbers drawn - 1-4-9-17-21 and 10 for the Hot Ball.
The Conrads said Wednesday they decided to take their winnings all at once - $1.98 million before taxes.
With their winnings, the Conrads say they plan to take a vacation to Alaska, pay off their mortgage and buy a new car, in addition to helping out their kids and grandchildren.
Sandy Conrad works at the Grand Rapids Herald-Review newspaper. Her 64-year-old husband is retired.
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