Kate & Kelly
Wedding Party
Breanne Rentschler
Maid of Honor
SISTER OF THE BRIDE We grew up sisters and are now lucky enough to be friends. Our childhood was spent playing in the "woodpile", finding kittens in the haymow, and taking long walks with our 4-H pigs. I loved (still do!) our 2 year age difference, which gave us the opportunity to attend school (K-college) at the same time and play as teammates in high school and college. She was my roommate in Sioux Falls after I moved home from CO (keeping me sane during that year), and was the first person to hear about my first date with Kelly when I got home. Breanne is making the trek from Milwaukee, WI and is taking some time off from her job as an Account Executive for Zoetis. If she has anything to do with it, there will be Beyonce playing and wine flowing at the reception.
Adriane Rentschler
Maid of Honor
SISTER OF THE BRIDE We grew up sisters but are now lucky enough to be friends. (Deja vu?) Adriane is the firecracker of the family in the best way. We are 4 years apart but are so dang similar it's never seemed like there was an age difference. Both strong willed, we tended to require Breanne's peace keeping skills while growing up. While we haven't changed much, peace keeping is thankfully no longer required. She's the reason that I love corgis and is never lacking in good book recommendations. Challenge her to a pun war and she will WIN. I'm always in awe of how smart and talented this girl is and I often wish I could keep up with her brain. Adriane will be taking a break from her 5th grade classroom and joining us from Alexandria, MN. She is sure to keep the party going all night long!
Alyson Fix
Bridesmaid
FRIEND OF THE BRIDE Aly and I met in PA school in Denver, CO. I knew we would be friends when I saw her "dancing eyes" party trick and heard her seriously good (bad) dad jokes. She is the kindest soul and I so admire her determination in life. If she sets her mind to something, there is no doubt that it will happen. The outdoor queen, she spends her days hiking, mountain biking, trail running, skiing... you name it. She taught me to ski and will still patiently wait for me at the bottom of some crazy black bump run that she flies down with ease. My trips to visit Aly usually include a hike through the desert and beer in the sun. Bliss. Aly lives and works in Phoenix, AZ as a pediatric orthopedic PA. She will be your expert in craft beer and best hikes while in the area.
Julie Rezac
Bridesmaid
FRIEND OF THE BRIDE Julie (aka Jubie) and I also met in PA school and bonded over our Minnesota roots. I knew I wanted to be her friend once I discovered her love for Dixie Chicks and Tim McGraw and I was SOLD after I discovered she could quote Friends episodes better than I could. We share our love for anything outdoors and especially love our MN summers. She opened my eyes to what a good manicure can do for the spirit and I blame her for the $$ I've lost to Nails Spa Village. I am constantly aspiring to be half the dancer she is and can't wait to see what kind of moves she will bust out at the reception... they will go unmatched. This girl keeps me laughing and I love her dearly! Julie currently lives and works in Minneapolis as an orthopedic PA.
Kelli Morrissey
Bridesmaid
FRIEND OF THE BRIDE Kelli and I also met in PA school... I have such smart friends. I think we truly became friends over our study habits (nerd alert) and spent many hours locked away together in study rooms, emerging only for Caribou Coffee runs. We've had many adventures together, from camping and sand surfing in Sand Dunes National Park to snorkeling and lounging in sunny Mexico. We made many "Josephine Special" pizza excursions and got our first tattoos together while we were roomies in Denver. She kept me in shape with her "you can do anything (usually burpies) for a minute" pep talks, which aligns well with her always-positive attitude. Kelli lives and works just outside Washington D.C. as a pediatric neurology PA.
Alex Hall
Best Man
BROTHER OF THE GROOM Alex has always been there when I need him and has been with me to celebrate every major milestone in my life; from losing my first tooth and buying my first house to being one of my only phone calls back when I was in Basic Training. He was also the first to respond with "CONGRATULATIONS" after Kate and I got engaged. So naturally, he stepped up here too. I'm glad to be living in the same city as my brother again! Alex and his girlfriend Kathleen also live in Omaha along with Albus' best friends/cousins Pip and Atlas. Alex works at Creighton University and teaches Statistics. He's also currently pursuing an(other) advanced degree, in Political Science through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Steve Houg
Groomsman
FRIEND OF THE GROOM My life hasn't been the same since the fall of '96 when I met a skinny, glasses-wearing, shaved head dweeb named Steve. Steve and I have done it all, from sleepovers and competing in sports together to cross-country road trips and donut-filled 5ks. I would not be who I am without him in my life. Steve and his wife Kirsten live in St. Louis, MO where he works as the head golf pro at Old Warson Country Club. He's an incredibly talented golfer but an even more talented people-person. I'm convinced he does so well in this line of work because he could start a conversation with someone who is mute. Kate and I love getting to explore new cities, overeating and consuming a few beverages, and having the occasional spa day (no shame) with these two.
Matt Braithwaite
Groomsman
FRIEND OF THE GROOM I don't recall when I was first officially introduced to Matt but I can remember eating his dust in the mile at the 8th grade city track meet. I can also remember thinking early on that Matt was talented, driven, loyal, and pretty cool (and still do!). He is one of the chief reasons why I dropped soccer and went out for cross country and stuck with track. In addition to getting my butt out the door to run, Matt is equally responsible for my interest in the outdoors. Some of our outdoor adventures include climbing in the Black Hills Cathedral Spires and summiting some of the Wasatch Range's tallest peaks. Matt and his wife Caitlin live in Rochester, MN with their two kiddos, where he is completing a heme/onc fellowship at Mayo Clinic.
Dom Thielen
Groomsman
FRIEND OF THE GROOM Dom and I knew each other in high school but really connected in college through our miles of trials and weekend festivities. We both competed for South Dakota State on the Cross Country and Track and Field teams and we were also Biology majors. So, we frequently found ourselves sharing a lot of quality time where we would complain (bond) about running during class and about class during our runs. We also lived together for three years where our overly frugal attitude towards college living led to some seriously questionable housing selection decisions. We survived and I consider myself incredibly lucky for convincing Dom to check out SDSU. Dom currently works as a physical therapist in Fort Dodge, Iowa (go Dodgers!).
Brandon Boe
Groomsman
FRIEND OF THE GROOM Brandon holds the title of longest friend in my life. We first met in daycare and were astounded to discover shared interests in juice, cookies, naps, and being equally bad at finger painting. If those don't set you on a lifelong path of friendship, I don't know what will. Brandon is a good friend but an even better person. He always seems to remember special events and to give words of encouragement during hard times. We've gone on dozens of trips together, spent entire summer vacations together, and exchanged nearly three decades of Christmas presents but sometimes we also go months (years?) without seeing each other. But whenever we do get back together, we pick up right where we left off. Only now we toast with a different kind of juice.