Decorah man wins $50,000 in the Iowa Lottery

(Photo courtesy of the Iowa Lottery)

A Decorah man said he had trouble sleeping after winning a big lottery prize.  David Vine has claimed his $50,000 prize in the Iowa Lottery's "Super Crossword" instant-scratch game.

Vine said he purchased his winning ticket Tuesday, February 17th, at Nordic Express on Montgomery Stree in Decorah.

"I looked it over probably 10 times that night and did not sleep very well, so the next morning I checked it again and I was very happy," Vine told lottery employees. 

The 55-year-old said his daughter confirmed his big win, and so did a store clerk at Nordic Express.  "They hugged me, the clerk did. And they were just as tickled for me. I think she was more excited for me than I was," Vine said.

Vine works at a car dealership in Decorah. He said his coworkers have been giving him a hard time about winning the lottery.  "I've been teased for loans and I was teased that I had a horseshoe where it shouldn't be. It's been kind of comical," he said.

Vine said he plans to use his lottery winnings to pay bills.