Category: News Author : Kim LaCapria Posted: June 5, 2009
Tags : lottery, lottery winners, neal wanless, powerball jackpot, south dakota
Lucky South Dakotan rancher Neal Wanless has won a $232.1 million dollar Powerball jackpot after buying a ticket in nearby Winner, SD.
Wanless wasn’t having the best run of luck prior to his win, having recently lost a mobile home to repossession. The 23-year-old rancher lived with his family on 320 acres of land in what is currently the seventh poorest county in all of the United States.
The Wanless family worked very hard to make ends meet raising sheep, cattle and horses and scavenging for scrap metal. Neighbor Dave Assman said:
“They’ve been real short on finances for a long time. ”They are from real meager means, I guess you’d say.”
Wanless spoke to press briefly about his win, smiling uncontrollably, thanking God, promising not to squander his newfound riches and wearing a big black cowboy hat. He also spoke of repaying “many times over” the community that had helped his family in the past.
Since his win, Wanless has continued ranching and has no plans to stop. Wanless said to AP reporters:
…he recently told his horse, Eleanor, that “It’d be nice if we go for a longer ride than usual on a bigger ranch of our own.”
Awww…
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Jun 5, 2009
Good Luck. Nice to see someone who will enjoy life and give back to the area that he grow in. Go South Dacota and Winner, SD
Jun 5, 2009
Congratulations to Mr. Wanless (and Eleanor)! Money doesn't bring happiness but it sure beats being poor…
Jun 5, 2009
Congratulations, I do Genealogy and I am from the Thomas Wanless line.
If you read this and anyone in your family have done your line and anyone in your Wanless family
would like to contact me?
Dorene Standish
Brooks Historical Society
Oregon Pioneers web site
Thanks and once more congratulations
You have a name that is very honorable
Jun 6, 2009
When I heard this young man was going to help others, I said he reminds me of myself. I been praying for a homeless hotel in Denver, Colorado and know that one day somehow God will allow this to happen. I thank God for Good people as Neal to have a heart to help others. I am Rev. Trey Noran and if God leads anyone such as the Walton’s from the Wal-Mart fortune please let us know. Our email is Hislovecenter@aol.com I know many countries need help but we need it right now in the USA. Oprah, could help so many right here in the USA with just her name. When and if God gives me that power I will utilize it with every penny.
Jun 6, 2009
Haha, “Dave ASS-man”"
Jun 7, 2009
HI Neal, you were really lucky!Remember that money is not everything in life, but using them sparingly, can make life less difficult! HI,Mauro Senago ITALY
Jun 7, 2009
HI Neal, you were really lucky!
Remember that money is not everything in life, but using them sparingly, can make life less difficult! As you said, always remember your family and who loves you, use it sparingly!
HI,Good Luck!Mauro Senago ITALY
Jun 7, 2009
Haha! Doreen is crawling out of the woodwork to steal his money!!!
Jun 8, 2009
Congratulations, Neal! Thank God you get this blessing while you're young in life! All the best as you find the wisdom and guidance from God to put it to good use for yourself, your family, others and the planet!
Sincerely, Gloria
Jun 9, 2009
GOOD LUCK FROM SOUTH AFRICA
WISH I WERE U
Jun 9, 2009
What a great story.. Gogd for these's folks…
Jun 9, 2009
Good for these folks…
Jun 20, 2009
Dear Neil I just heard your story a couple of days ago I have been so Blessed because it encourages me in the position I'm in. The Lord is faithful in all his ways. I pray you will hear his heart and wise and obedient.
He’s Always On Time…
In reflecting on the past year for the many, many, many reasons we should spend a time of Thanksgiving to our Father, I am reminded of how “on time” God really is. Sometimes He waits until we are hanging by a fringe at the end of our rope, sometimes He waits until we on the brink of sheer panic, sometimes He waits until all seems hopeless, sometimes He waits until we realize that God is all we have. Then He shows up just in time.
We can look back through the many examples throughout the Bible and see where God’s timing is not always our timing. We know when we want God to show up and we expect Him to work on our time schedule. Not gonna happen. God works strictly on His time schedule. He has His own agenda and His timing is perfect. Even when it makes absolutely no sense to us.
thank the Lord he uses people and situtation like yours to minister to others.
Blessing's,
Pastor/Rabbi Leora