BOISE, Idaho ÔÇô The past week has been an emotional one for Frankie Masterson of St. Maries. While lamenting the third anniversary of the loss of her husband of 39 years, Frankie learned her grandson had been seriously wounded while serving in Afghanistan. Then came Sunday morning, when in an unusual twist of luck, her circumstances took another, completely unexpected turn while she reviewed the winning Powerball numbers in the Sunday paper. Frankie was holding a Powerball ticket that matched Saturday night's numbers of 12, 13, 14, 35, and 41. The only number she did not have was 29, the Powerball number.

"I can't quit getting blubbery," said a shocked Masterson, who has lived in St. Maries since 1969. "I've been getting by just by the skin of my teeth. I'm still shaking. This is unbelievable."

Ever present on her mind has been the safety of her grandson who stepped on an IED (an improvised explosive device also known as a roadside bomb) the first part of last week while serving on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan. Mercifully, Frankie's grandson is recovering from his wounds stateside in an east coast medical facility.

"He was badly injured, but he is alive," said a concerned Frankie. "He comes first before this money, that's for sure."

Frankie signed her ticket before returning to the store where she purchased it, Harvest Foods in St. Maries, to check and make sure it was the winner. After verifying it was indeed the winning ticket that needed to be claimed in Boise, Masterson locked the ticket away in her son's gun safe until bringing it to Idaho Lottery Headquarters on Tuesday.

For their part in selling the winning Powerball ticket, Harvest Foods in St. Maries will receive a $20,000 bonus from the Idaho Lottery.

Frankie plans to use some of her winnings to visit her grandson after Christmas. "I couldn't have afforded to visit him without this," said a thankful Frankie. "I'm planning on taking his sister and maybe my great-granddaughter to visit him. This will be one holiday to remember."

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