It probably happens a dozen times a day. Someone forgets to collect their lottery ticket after purchase and it gets left on the counter.

But for Michigan woman Dawn Zendt, not collecting her Powerball ticket would be the difference later between $1 million in her bank, or disaster.

The 60-year-old Shelby resident has the local Marathon gas station clerk to thank.

Dawn Zendt bought the winning ticket at the Marathon gas station, located at 51969 Van Dyke Avenue in Shelby Township. PHOTO: Google

“I stopped at the corner gas station Thursday and as I was checking out, the clerk said: ‘The Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots are looking pretty good,’” said Dawn.

“So, I bought 10 tickets for each drawing. As I turned to leave the clerk reminded me to grab my tickets because I had set them on the counter.”

“I checked my tickets Sunday morning and I was in awe,” said Zendt.

“I called for my husband to come double check the ticket for me! I just kept saying: ‘Look at this! Look at this!’”

Zendt visited Lottery headquarters Tuesday to claim the big prize.

With her winnings, she plans to complete some home improvements and then save the remainder for her retirement.

“I’m still going to work, but it’s an amazing feeling to know I’ll be set when I do decide to retire,” Zendt said.

ABOUT: Michigan Powerball

Powerball plays may be purchased for $2 each at Lottery retailers across the state and online at MichiganLottery.com.

A “Power Play” option that multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times to a maximum of $2 million may be added to any Powerball play for only $1.

The Powerball drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and may be watched live online at: powerball.com. Powerball tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington D.C., U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

The US Powerball draw for June 22, 2019 which produced Dawn Zendt’s $1 million prize.