Brianne (Bre) grew up in Sutherland, Nebraska.
After graduating high school Bre attended college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Bre graduated in 2008 with a degree in Organizational Communications. While in college Bre found herself in a part-time position with Menards. After graduating Bre decided to make Menards a career and went through the manager training program. Menards took Bre to Casper, Wyoming and then to Marshall, Minnesota where she met her prince charming!
Bre currently works for a non-profit agency called Systems Unlimited. Bre serves as a coordinator for the Cedar Rapids area.The division of Systems Unlimited Bre works in serves individuals with disabilities in their homes. Bre has found great joy inspiring the lives of those individuals she works with.
Parents: Gene & Kerri
Siblings: Kyle & Caitlin
Steve grew up in Marathon City, Wisconsin.
Steve started working at a young age mostly out on the Krautkramer Farm and washing semis up at the Marathon Cheese truck garage.
After graduating high school Steve decided to give college a try wanting to earn a degree in Criminal Justice. While attending school he decided to work part-time with Menards. After realizing college wasn't his thing he decided to make Menards a career.
Menards took Steve to Rice Lake, WI and then to Marshall, MN where he met a woman named Bre who was willing to put up with him.
Steve currently is working in Cedar Falls, IA as an Assistant General Manager where he assists the General Manager in making sure the store operates to Menards standards.
Steve always talked about running a business someday when he was young and his dream is slowly turning into a reality.
Parents: Larry & Theresa
Siblings: Scott & Randy
Bre and Steve met when they were both transferred to open the Marshall Menards in February 2011. Steve wasn't instantly a fan of Bre as the first side he met was her bossy side. Several months later and a trip to the Minnesota Zoo gave Steve and Bre a chance to get to know each other. By December they spent as much time as possible together, going on day trips to surrounding towns and just finding any and everything to do together around Marshall. It seemed they were inseparable and gained the nickname "SteBre" among their friends. The end of December Steve took a trip home and when he returned he wasn't sure how this relationship could work since they were both moving up the Menards ladder. After a week apart Steve had a change of mind.
On Bre's way home from Omaha on New Years Day 2012 she received a phone call from Steve saying that he needed his original apartment key back. When Bre arrived to give back the key, Steve gave her the spare key. At that point Bre asked, "What do you want from me?" Steve and Bre talked about how much fun it was just being together and decided to just see where the future would take them. Maybe Menards would separate them eventually, maybe not, but why not just see where it went. So after a nice heartfelt talk that night Steve and Bre decided to just be "normal" again and Steve and Bre were official.
In April 2012 Steve found out he was being transferred to the Iowa City Menards. After only a week apart Bre and Steve decided to take a chance and follow their hearts. Bre left her position at Menards and moved to Iowa City with Steve.
Living in Iowa City is where the relationship between Steve and Bre really began to develop. Just like any great relationship they faced challenges with career changes and learning to live together. Throughout their time in Iowa City they took many trips including travels to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the arch in St. Louis, and of course the Brewers in Milwaukee, just to name a few. Some of their best trips though were just to Sutherland and Marathon to spend time with friends and family. As you might be able to tell, they spent a lot of time in the car together. Steve found out Bre can't sing and has terrible navigation skills. Bre found out Steve is very patient and knows how to get great gas mileage!
Steve and Bre decided that being just the two of them was not exciting enough and decided to add Jinx and Esme to the mix.
Coming together in Iowa City is what really solidified the relationship between Steve and Bre. Proving the age old saying, "everything happens for a reason".
Steve tried multiple times to propose to Bre. After a few failed attempts he decided it was just time to make it happen. While vising one of Bre's best friends in Omaha (Liz) Steve popped the question! Steve, Bre, Liz, and Joe were all sitting on Liz's back porch hanging out when Steve left, returned, and said, "While we are talking about weddings..." Bre interrupted by standing up to give Steve a hug, after a funny look Bre sat down and looked at her friend Liz. When Bre looked back Steve was down on one knee! If you know Bre, you might already guess, Bre was immediately in tears and heard none of what Steve had to say. The only response she had was tears and mumbles until her friend reminded her she had to, "SAY YES!!" Poor Steve had to ask only three times before getting an answer.