The Wedding Party
Bridesmaids
Courtney Lee (Maid of Honor):
Courtney and Katie have been friends since they both attended Alleman High School. There they played basketball and were both involved with Teens Encounter Christ. Courtney then joined Katie at the University of Illinois her junior year and the two roomed together as seniors. Courtney helped Katie start the Klothes for Kids student organization and they were also both involved with Up 'Til Dawn. Courtney has a Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Illinois and she is currently finishing up her Master's degree in Social Work also at the University of Illinois. She will graduate in August 2008. She is currently working with Katie at the Pediatric Group Associates in Moline, Illinois. She is dating Todd Winter, one of the groomsmen.
Becky Franklin:
Becky is Tim's sister and she has been good friends with Katie since Katie was first introduced as Tim's girlfriend. Becky attended the University of Illinois with Katie from 2003-2006 and participated in Up 'Til Dawn with her. Becky has her Bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Illinois. She is currently working at FGM Architects in O'Fallon, Illinois and living in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois.
Megan Dunbar:
Megan is Katie's cousin. Megan and Katie have always been close as they've grown up. They spent at least a week together every summer during "Girls' Week" at their grandparents' house. They also went on many family vacations to Florida together. Megan lives in Des Moines, Iowa where she attended Dowling Catholic High School. Megan is currently a junior majoring in business at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has spent the Spring semester of 2008 studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain.
Beth Anne Koszczuk:
Beth Anne and Katie have been friends since 2nd grade when they both attended Costa Catholic Grade School in Galesburg, Illinois. The two both played volleyball and basketball and were good friends throughout grade school. They were both involved in Teens Encounter Christ through high school. Beth Anne and Katie both attended the University of Illinois where they roomed together for three years. Both were active in Up 'Til Dawn and were members of the Perfect Prom Project and Klothes for Kids. Beth Anne has a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois. She is currently working for Teach for America at a school in Chicago, Illinois and she plans to attend pharmaceutical school.
Jessica Grote:
Jessica and Katie both lived in Bromley Hall at the University of Illinois where they became friends their freshman year. Jessica and Katie were both members of Up 'Til Dawn and the Irish Illini. Jessica obtained her Bachelor's degree in Architecture in 2006. She is currently working towards her Master's of Business Administration at Washington University in St. Louis. She will graduate in 2009. She is working as a Brand Management Intern at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis.
Groomsmen
Mike Fitzgerald (Best Man):
Mike and Tim first met in high school and quickly became good friends. They hung out a lot throughout high school and were in many clubs and organizations together. They each went on to study engineering at the University of Illinois where they remained good friends, lived next to each other through most of college, partied a lot, and even studied some too. Mike has a Bachelor's degree in General Engineering from the University of Illinois and currently works at Parsons Brinckerhoff in Chicago, Illinois.
Eric Jackson:
Eric is Katie's brother. Eric and Tim have become very close since Tim started dating Katie in 2003. The two have spent a lot of time together playing games, building puzzles, and goofing off. Eric is currently a freshman at the University of Illinois where he is majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. He is a member of the Delta Chi fraternity and is Tim and Katie's last remaining link to U of I. Eric is responsible for using his job with the ticket office to obtain tickets to U of I athletic events for the lovely couple!
Todd Winter:
Todd and Tim met a few days before freshman classes began at the University of Illinois. Along with Chris, Todd introduced Mike, Ben, and Tim to the Quad Cities. Todd and Tim were good friends and lived next to each other throughout most of college. They also worked together at the Commerce Library at U of I. Todd is originally from Taylor Ridge, Illinois where he attended Rockridge High School. Todd has a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from the University of Illinois and is currently working with the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department . He is also currently dating the Maid of Honor, Courtney Lee.
Chris Peschang:
Chris and Tim met at the same time Todd and Tim met - a few days before freshman classes began at U of I. They hung out a lot and lived next to each other for most of their college careers. Chris and Tim studied (or attempted to study) together a lot in college as well. Chris is originally from rural Milan, Illinois and he attended Rockridge High School with Todd. Chris has a Bachelor's degree in General Engineering from the University of Illinois. He is currently working at Layne Christensen Company in Aurora, Illinois. Chris is engaged to Julie Gepner and the two will be getting married in September.
Ben Guebert:
Ben and Tim have been friends since high school. They were both on many of the same academic teams in high school and both decided to study engineering at the University of Illinois. At U of I, Tim and Ben were roommates for three and a half years. Somehow, Ben was able to put up with Tim's messiness during college - and he could probably offer some good advice to Katie! Ben has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Illinois and he currently works at Red Bud Industries in Red Bud, Illinois.
Ushers
Adam Ratz:
Adam and Tim have been good friends since high school. They spent a lot of time hanging out and also were on the baseball team together. Adam has a degree in Graphic Design from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He currently works for Home Decorator's Magazine in St. Louis, Missouri and rooms with our other usher, Blake, in O'Fallon, Illinois.
Blake Salger:
Blake and Tim have been good friends since high school. They were both involved in student council and both served as class executives. Blake has a degree in Advertising from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He currently works for Emmis Communications in St. Louis, Missouri. As mentioned above, Blake and Adam are roommates living in O'Fallon, Illinois.
Flower Girl
Reagan Bush:
Reagan is Katie's cousin. She is 9 years old and is the daughter of Marty Bush and Susie Gustafson, both of Rock Island, Illinois. Reagan plays basketball and tennis and is also involved with drama.
Ring Bearer
Jacob Jackson:
Jacob is Katie's 2nd cousin and Godson. Jacob is 8 years old and is the son of Brian and Jamie Jackson of Channahon, Illinois. Jacob plays baseball and wrestles.