Eden Prairie Couple Claims Powerball ® Jackpot

Mary Beth and David Wenell of Eden Prairie spent the weekend in northern Minnesota unaware that a Powerball ticket sitting on a dresser at their home matched all of the numbers drawn to win the $98.7 million jackpot.

“We didn't realize what happened until we saw on the news that there was a Minnesota winner,” David said. “They said to ‘check your tickets' — so we did.”

The Wenells compared the numbers on their ticket to the winning numbers printed in the newspaper. They were shocked to see that the fifth line on their five-line quick-pick ticket matched all of the numbers drawn (4-10-11-18-43 and the Powerball of 41). “We couldn't believe it,” Mary Beth said.

David purchased the winning ticket at Cub Foods, 8015 Den Road in Eden Prairie. “I was getting ready to go to the lake. It was just an errand,” he recalled.

“I'm a dreamer — I've always dreamed of winning something like that. It's fun to think about,” David said.

Will they continue to play Powerball? “Why not?” Mary Beth said with a laugh.

This is the second highest jackpot prize ever won in Minnesota. The Wenells have decided to take the $53.1 million cash option ($35.9 million after withholding).

Mary Beth Wenell is 47 years of age and David Wenell is 52.

This is the second consecutive Powerball jackpot won in Minnesota. A Stillwater couple won the $21 million Powerball jackpot on July 7.