Anyone who says winning $445,000 is not life changing has not met Donnie Shove from Twin Lakes in northern Idaho. Winning the Lottery for the second time was not only exciting, but after his big win he decided to retire.

On an early summer night in late June, Donnie checked his 5 Star Draw tickets using the Idaho Lottery’s app. Shocked by what he saw, he took his ticket to a store in Rathdrum to verify it was indeed the jackpot winner. It was. He then went to work.

“I’ve reached an age in life where you start thinking more and more about retiring,” said Donnie with a confident smile. "During my shift, I was asked to do some very menial work. It didn’t sit well with me. Knowing I’d just won a big jackpot, I decided not to do the work. I went straight to HR and announced I was retiring. Effective today.”

The next day, Donnie made the drive from north Idaho to Boise in his early 2000s red Mustang convertible with his dog and companion Kashew. In 1999, Donnie won a Mustang from the Idaho Lottery. While not the same car, the “newer” Mustang brought about a sense of nostalgia – only with a much bigger win.

On a Friday, he collected his prize-winning check for $445,000 in Boise then rode off in the Mustang with Kashew toward retirement. Well earned.

Donnie’s winning ticket was from the Twin Lakes Market in Rathdrum.