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Spokane man, 88, wins lottery while buying scotch tape

Credit: KREM.com

Spokane man, 88, wins lottery while buying scotch tape

by KREM.com

krem.com

Posted on February 2, 2010 at 3:50 PM

Updated Wednesday, Feb 3 at 7:55 PM

SPOKANE -- An elderly Spokane man made a snap decision to buy a lottery ticket and it paid off.

Bert Gerken, 88, won $250,000 from Mega Millions, after going to the Albertons on Indian Trail and Barnes Road to buy scotch tape.

"I thought that was a lot of money," said Gerken when asked what he immediately thought after finding out he'd won.

Gerken says he and his wife plan on putting the money in the bank, and have no big plans yet for trips or purchases.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 15 of 16

redrattler said on February 4, 2010 at 9:05 AM

Bert's wife has had some medical issues and the bills have been adding up. Bert was a Marine aviator in WWII. Bill flew missions over islands in the south pacific in advance before marine troops landed. I am glad to see this couple of almost 70 years get some relief from stress of medical bills.

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pantsontheground said on February 3, 2010 at 9:20 PM

congrats to Bert and his kids

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goose0130 said on February 3, 2010 at 9:00 PM

As an employee of this store, let me clarify a few things. One, nobody cares that the name was misspelled. I am sure I will still have a job tomorrow. Two, the name is Albertsons with no apostrophe. Three, the story was about a man that unexpectedly won a large sum of money. Who cares about the spelling of the store name. People do make mistakes once in a while.

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wow520 said on February 3, 2010 at 4:37 PM

Good for him. Congratulations

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whatsyurbeef said on February 3, 2010 at 3:28 PM

Now he can retire.

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maddjack55 said on February 3, 2010 at 10:44 AM

Why do folks automatically think that an 88 year old person "needs" the money? Maybe he's wealthy already. Money does'nt make one happy. It does'nt hurt though. Some would say that having a loving family is all the "wealth" one needs. I'm very happy for Bert and his Family. Maybe it's time to buy some "duct" tape? CONGRADULATION BERT!!!

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itzme99208 said on February 3, 2010 at 8:16 AM

Actually, there is no apostrophe. Sixtyish had it right. Congrats Bert!!!

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imachainsmoker said on February 3, 2010 at 12:41 AM

No...the store was named after Joe Albertson. There is an apostrophe it shows ownership. Its Joe Albertson's supermarket. So sixtyish....congratulate Bert and forget about a career in journalism.

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dorothyd said on February 2, 2010 at 11:14 PM

WTG now this couple does not have to pich pennies like most seniors their age have to do.

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lmh22 said on February 2, 2010 at 8:31 PM

WTG Bert! Hope that you and your wife enjoy this bonus.

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cassiesue said on February 2, 2010 at 5:47 PM

I agree - stick to the story - Congrats to Bert & his wife.

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noyankeefans said on February 2, 2010 at 5:41 PM

to EXCHFAMILY: you're a complete idiot! stick to the d**n story and you just worry about your own grammar. DA! What a flippin loser. At the very least congratualte this man for winning the lottery so he and his wife don't have to worry about money. What a stupid jerk! Now how do you like it?

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noyankeefans said on February 2, 2010 at 5:38 PM

Good for him! Thats awesome.

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sixtyish said on February 2, 2010 at 5:28 PM

Actually, it's Albertsons; there's no apostrophe. OOPS, I hope your job is secure. We wouldn't want you to be fired!

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ingloriousdreame said on February 2, 2010 at 5:21 PM

I wonder if this guy needs a date

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exchfamily said on February 2, 2010 at 5:08 PM

Ugh! I am so sick of finding errors in written news articles! I'm sure "Alberton's" grocery store isn't too pleased either! It's Albertson's! Come on! You get paid to write in English for a living!! If I did my job as badly as you, I would get fired!

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