Cedar Rapids man wins $250,000 in lotto

A man who won $250,000 after playing the Iowa Lottery says he's going to help his daughter pay for college with his prize.

Dennis Dyrland, 64, of Cedar Rapids, won the Aug. 6 Mega Millions drawing. He was checking the winning numbers online when he realized that five of his six picks matched up with winning numbers drawn.

Dyrland doesn't want to make a big deal about his new fortune. He says he's only discussed the lucky break with a few friends and family members. He says the money will be used to help his daughter pay for her college education. “We have some school expense coming up,” says Dyrland.

Dyrland says winning is comforting, but he doesn't intend to go on a trip or change much of anything. He says that about $75,000 will be taken away by taxes. He says he'll put most of the prize in the bank.

Dyrland, who purchased the winning ticket at Casey's, 780 N. Center Point Rd., Hiawatha, said he would continue playing the lotto. A lottery official said Dyrland could have won $750,000 if he would have purchased the $1 Megaplier option.

Dyrland said he wouldn't change his strategy in the future by paying the extra buck.“I think that's kind of a sucker bet,” he said.