Husband heard rumors about someone winning big Powerball prize in Nebraska. It was him

Leland Gohlmann needed gas when he stopped at a local Casey’s gas station and convenience store.

But after filling up his tank, the Nebraska man began “feeling a little thirsty,” lottery officials said in an Oct. 20 news release.

That’s why Gohlmann decided to head inside and grab a soda.

“While I was in there, I thought I might as well get a ticket,” Gohlmann told the Nebraska Lottery.

He decided to buy a quick pick Powerball play for the Oct. 14 drawing, officials said.

The next morning, Gohlmann and his wife, Jeri, began hearing rumors about someone in their hometown of Fremont winning a $1 million prize with a ticket from Casey’s, according to the release.

Gohlmann called the Nebraska Lottery and checked his ticket — and that’s when he realized he was the big winner.

He had matched all five white balls — 14, 16, 42, 48, 64 — but not the Powerball of 14, officials said.

“He was so calm,” Jeri recalled. “I just didn’t believe it.”

Gohlmann does not consider himself a regular Powerball player, but he does occasionally buy tickets, according to the release.

Fremont is about 40 miles northwest of Omaha.

This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Husband heard rumors about someone winning big Powerball prize in Nebraska. It was him."