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 1:53 PM with the headline "Husband heard rumors about someone winning big Powerball prize in Nebraska. It was him."