Winning $250,000 from the Michigan Lottery’s Mega Millions game is lucky. Finding the winning ticket in an old purse just a few days before it expires is exceptionally lucky. One lottery player – Susan Christensen, of Whitmore Lake – has just that much luck.

Christensen claimed a $250,000 prize at the Lottery headquarters in Lansing Tuesday, just four days before her winning ticket was going to expire. She bought the ticket at the Kroger located at 9700 Chilson Commons Circle in Pinckney and matched the first five numbers from the June 7, 2013 drawing: 01-10-37-48-55.

Christensen recently came upon her winning ticket while going through some purses, checked her numbers and discovered it was a big winner. She plans to use her winnings to establish a trust fund for her children and grandchildren.

Her message to other players: Don’t forget to double check your pockets, wallet or old purse for Lottery tickets. That big winner could be waiting to be discovered.

Mega Millions tickets are valid for one year from the drawing date. Prizes from winning tickets not claimed before the one-year expiration date go to the state’s School Aid Fund. In 2013, the Lottery contributed $734.3 million to the fund, about $484 for each pupil in the state’s kindergarten-through-12th grade system.

Mega Millions drawings take place each Tuesday and Friday evening. Each Mega Millions play is only $1. For an additional $1 per play, players have the opportunity to add a “Megaplier” that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times. Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot is $45 million.