Iowa grandmother claims huge Powerball jackpot

CLIVE, IA (CBS News) — A grandmother from the small Iowa community of Redfield has claimed her share of a nearly $700 million Powerball prize. Iowa Lottery officials confirmed Monday that Lerynne West was one of two winners of a $688 million jackpot drawn Oct. 27.

She’ll share the prize with someone who bought the other winning ticket in New York City. West opted for the cash option, which will pay her an immediate $198.1 million, minus taxes.

West said she dreamed of winning a jackpot, but “once you have won and you realize the responsibility and, you know, just the impact that you can make, all frivolity goes out the window.” Some of her winnings would go toward helping her family, which includes her mother, seven brothers and sisters, three daughters and six grandchildren.

West also said she had started a charitable foundation in honor of her late grandson, Callum. He was born prematurely at 24 weeks in April and lived for one day, she said.

The 51-year-old worked for a health insurance organization, but said she retired last week. West overcame odds of 292.2 million to one to win.

The first thing she said she would buy for herself was a new car. “Currently I drive a Ford Fiesta that people have just beat up when I’m not in it,” West said, noting that the car had 142,000 miles on it.

“I’m going to get a car big enough,” she said, “that I can take all my grandchildren places now.”