YOUNG, Sask. – A married couple from Young, Sask. are a million dollars richer thanks in part to a Lotto 649 free play.
Marlene and Melvin Dieno cashed in the free play for a ticket in the April 16 draw.
A week after the draw, Marlene checked the ticket at the local Co-op.
“I scanned one ticket that won a free ticket, and then I check this one and I thought the machine was broken because it said I won a whole bunch of money,” said Marlene.
A clerk confirmed the million-dollar windfall for the guaranteed prize.
“I was in shock, kind of numb. It’s not every day you get told you’ve won a million dollars.
Her next step was to call her husband Melvin. He had also asked her to call if they ever won and she never did – until that day.
“This time I did call, and he didn’t believe me,” said Marlene.
“When I got home later and she showed me the ticket, I had to look a couple of times to be sure,” Melvin said. “It’s unreal, this doesn’t happen very often in a small town.”
“I always hoped that if we won, we’d be at an age where we could enjoy it and help the kids.”
The Dieno’s plan to use the money to build a new home, upgrade vehicles, help family and put some away for retirement.
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