Karl Jonsson’s life changed about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday when he answered a knock on the door of his parents’ Gresham home.
When Jonsson answered the door, he was greeted by the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol bearing balloons, flowers and an oversized certificate listing Jonsson as a $1 million winner in the PCH sweepstakes.
“Oh my God, my parents are going to freak out,” Jonsson said. “Unbelievable.”
Jonsson, 44, said the money could not have come at a more opportune time.
The former electrician has been out of work for 3½ years. He tore a bicep tendon that did not heal properly and has several medical bills to pay. He exhausted his long-term disability pay more than a year ago.
“I have bills that just need to be paid. If I get nothing out of it, but no bills, I would be happy with that,” Jonsson said. “Oh man, it is like a weight being lifted off, and could not have come at a better time.”
Jonsson, whose two daughters attend Gresham Community School, has been living with his parents at their home near Lower Red Lake.
He initially thought the prize patrol was there for his father, who has the same name.
Jonsson entered the sweepstakes online and was tracked down by Dave Sayer, of the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol, through an email address.
Sayer said Jonsson’s name was drawn at random from thousands of entries from across the United States.
“It is a totally random drawing that people can enter into all over the United States, and whatever number comes up, and whoever it belongs to, is the winner,” Sayer said. “When we knock on that door, these people are totally surprised. They have not been informed in any way or any kind of warning.”
Sayer said he once had to wait three days for a winner to return home.
Sayer awarded Jonsson a $25,000 check. Jonsson can decide whether to take the remaining winnings either in equal installments over 30 years or in one lump sum. He must pay income taxes on the money.
Jonsson was the first sweepstakes winner in Shawano County in at least 20 years, said Sayer, who noted the previous winner lived in Bonduel.
Publishers Clearing House has awarded more than $240 million since 1967. The company, launched in 1953, is based in Port Washington, New York. It markets magazines, merchandise and promotional offers.
As Sayer and the prize patrol moved on to surprise their next winner, Jonsson was counting his blessings.
“God knows what you need, and you just keep praying for the answers,” he said.
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