The engagement and approaching marriage of Traci Ann Beeck of Chicago, Ill., and Michael Gothard Berquam of Chicago, is announced by their parents, Steve and Pamela Beeck of Le Mars and James and Barbara Berquam of Cedar Falls.

The couple is planning a 3 p.m. wedding on Aug. 5, 2006, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. The reception will follow at the Le Mars Golf Clubhouse.

Traci is a graduate of Le Mars Community High School. She earned her B.S. degree from the University of Iowa and her J.D. degree from the University of Chicago. She is employed by the law firm of Lord, Bissell & Brooks, LLP., in Chicago.

Michael is a graduate of Waterloo West High School and earned his B.S.E. degree from the University of Iowa. He is a senior staff software engineer at Motorola, Inc.