By Canadian Press

‘Surprising and stressful:’ Small-town Alberta woman claims $50M Lotto Max win

Nov 30, 2016 | 1:45 PM

ST. ALBERT, Alta. — An Alberta woman from a farming village of less than 500 people says she was surprised and stressed when she found out she’d won a $50-million Lotto Max jackpot.

Lois Olsen of Irma, about 180 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, says she discovered her win the day after the Nov. 11 draw.

Olsen, a long-time resident, bought the lucky quick-pick ticket at the Irma Co-op store.

It was there, while buying groceries, that she found out she was a multimillionaire.

She says she was speechless when she scanned her ticket, and just wanted to get out of the store.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Olsen said she plans to use the windfall to help her loved ones.

“I’m going to give some of the money to my family,” she said Tuesday as she picked up her cheque at the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission office in St. Albert.

“I have my kids, my grandkids, my great-grandkids. It will help my entire family.”

Olsen has a few plans of her own, though.

“I’m thinking of buying a new SUV and I’m hoping to do some travelling,” she said. “I used to travel a lot and I’d like to do a little more now.”

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

‘Surprising and stressful:’ Small-town Alberta woman claims $50M Lotto Max win

What's Happening