Zach Norenberg of Fremont is going to have a little news of his own to share when he attends his brother’s wedding this weekend.
Norenberg, 29, claimed a $1 million jackpot in Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot after matching five of six numbers. He beat odds of almost 1 in 11.7 million.
The Midland University graduate bought three tickets when he stopped at the Hy-Vee store for gas and an energy drink on the way to work, according to a Nebraska Lottery news release. He is a sales consultant at Sid Dillon Chevrolet.
Norenberg told Lottery officials he chose numbers based on the birthdays of family members. He learned he had won after watching the evening news Wednesday. He said he woke his wife, Shelby, to check the numbers and make sure he hadn’t misread them. He hadn’t.
“I called and woke my parents,” he told Lottery officials. “I said, ‘Dad, I just won $1 million.’”
The release said the Norenbergs intend to use some of the money to pay off their mortgage and student loans. They also said it would help in raising their 14-month-old daughter, and another baby on the way.
They were headed to Des Moines for Norenberg’s brother’s wedding after claiming their prize at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. They plan to continue playing the lottery.
“I already bought (a ticket) for the next drawing,” Norenberg said.
Since no one matched all six numbers Wednesday, the jackpot rolled over once again and is projected at $414 million for Saturday’s contest.
