Wedding Party
Rev. Roed
Officiant
Eric Roed is a cousin of the bride and so much more - a dear friend to the couple. Fun Fact: he got ordained out of curiosity and boredom just a few weeks before we got engaged. He's been dying to do this! He was Prince Eric when Katie was little and now he's one of those rare Kings a girl is lucky to have in her adult life. He's been married for over 25 years with three successful and amazing kids - the couple couldn't have landed a better example of a family man as an officiant!
Amy Driscoll
M.C. Amy D. (Cat Herder, Music Cue-er)
Amy is the solid gold link in the chain of the bride's friendship with all of these East Grand Forks people.They met at Arlen Seeton's summer party on Maple Inn Road somewhere around the summer of 1995. They were fast friends, being 2 of only about 5 known kids on that road. They were part of an inseparable trio most weekends, along with Kristen Halley, the Pink Ladies! Amy sparked Katie's love for Halloween and horror movies and taught her the importance of pinatas at every birthday and trying to stay positive and kind no matter what!
Chelsey (Nolte) Bohn
Maid of Honor
Hardly anybody in this circle calls her Chelsey. She's forever Nolte to us! Nolte graduated high school with Ben but she and the bride became great friends when Katie moved to Grand Forks. They have survived an epic roommate situation and Nolte loves Katie more than a brick factory loves cement. We've only ever met one person who didn't love Nolte, and that person was pretty unpleasant.
Abby Stocker
Maid of Honor
Abby and the bride first met around 1996 or 1997. It did NOT go well - for years they very strongly disliked each other. As it turns out, they were maybe just too much alike to get a long as little girls. Sometime in junior high they gave each other another chance and have never looked back! They have worked together at 3 different jobs, lived together for a summer, survived being stranded on Maple Lake with a dead pontoon battery for hours on a weekday, and have laughed so hard at their own jokes they cried (a lot).
Sarah Schley
Maid of Honor
The bride and Sarah met when they were in elementary school through MC Amy D. They've always got along but really started to build their friendship in high school. They had a shared love of pranks and sarcasm that blossomed into a sisterhood. Sarah has gently (and aggressively) encouraged Katie to say yes more often and have more fun. Katie probably would have missed out on a lot of cherished memories without Sarah. She never forgets a birthday, she's always there when she's needed, and she is the greatest at being a friend.
Krystal Tranby
Maid of Honor
Krystal graduated high school with the groom but they all ran in different circles back then so they didn't really know each other that well. Krystal moved to Grand Forks on New Years Eve 2006, and in with another of her classmates (Nolte) and was just like a missing piece of the puzzle returned! Krystal is always the life of the party - no matter what you just know you'll have a good time when you're with her. She's caring, sweet, and nurturing on top of being a blast. She's a friend anyone would be lucky to have.
Jenna Scherschligt
Maid of Honor
Jenna is the bride's first friend, but they are much closer to being siblings. Katie is technically an only child but had the unique privilege of growing up spending lots of time with the Scherschligts - sharing babysitters, going on family trips, and holidays together. They were a bit mischievous together in their younger years, in fact, they are technically still not allowed to be alone in a bathroom together. While they have a better appreciation for authority these days, they still enjoy a silly good time.
Holly Bouvette
Maid of Honor
Holly was probably Katie's first best friend she made when starting school at Fertile. As they got to know each other, they learned they had a Mentor connection! Their bond grew and they were practically inseparable at times. They are a great duo because Katie loves joking and hardly stops talking and Holly laughs at everything. Holly is laid back, positive, and can get along with just about anyone she meets. She's taught Katie so much about getting to know and appreciate people from all walks of life!
Kali Paradis
Bride's Personal Attendant
Kali is Jenna's younger sister and Katie has known her since she was just a bump under her mom's shirt. Katie might have seen her as a pest at times when they were children, but it's the closest she's ever known to having a baby sister, and she was the best at it. Katie and Jenna would pick on her from time to time but Kali was a skilled on-demand cryer/master strategist and always got us back and in trouble with the parents. As sisters do, they became friends as they grew up, both sharing a goofy sense of humor. While Katie still has a hard time seeing Kali as older than 8, she has loved watching her become a strong woman and amazing mother! She is so grateful to have Kali in her life.
Tiffany Martinez
Honorary Maid of Honor
*Tiffany can no longer make it to the wedding, but she's still an honorary part of our big day!* Tiffany and Katie met while they both worked in the same hospital unit in Hawaii. They became fast friends when they realized they both disliked the exact same things! It didn't take much time at all to realize they had so much more in common and were meant to be friends for life. They have shared so many happy moments and supported each other through low times as well. They've grown into family and Tiffany's sense of humor, compassion, and insane ability to remain calm (even when she thinks she's freaking out) has been invaluable to Katie in the years they've known each other.
Erik Fladhammer
Best Man
Erik is Ben’s brother and only sibling. Prior to his birth, Ben suggested he be named Bonfire after a famous local horse. Unfortunately, that advice was not taken. They survived numerous cross country family car trips sharing a backseat. They had a fierce athletic rivalry in every backyard sport imaginable, including basketball, hockey, badminton, croquet and the well-known water sport of Weight Distribution. They trained relentlessly using a variety of dad-made contraptions. He is the best man, a great son and brother, and somehow an even better father. Check out 3 of his 4 kids below. It’s probably worth the trip just to see them.
Steve Swanson
Groomsman
Steve is Ben’s uncle. He was instrumental in teaching Ben how to tube, kneeboard and waterski (You have to yell “Jobe!” when the rope pulls tight.) Another important life lesson is not to stop a hockey puck with your face. Steve and Ben share a lifelong love of UND sports and have enjoyed going to the games together. Steve won’t let Ben forget that he could have gone to the UND hockey national championship game in 2016. We won't let that mistake happen again.
Kyle Christenson
Groomsman
Ben met Kyle when he was just a lowly Couch Flad in 2005. Ben spent so much time on the Christenson couch that Kyle finally said, “You may as well just live here.” And with that, a brotherhood was born. They listened to Brand New, lived in a dilapidated house and befriended legendary characters, including a gentleman who proudly had all 10 of his toes. Kyle and Ben are the last ones holding down the fort in Grand Forks. And they're doing a great job.
Chase Christenson
Groomsman
You may know Chase best for the 2020 smash hit “Dog Legs,” but before that meteoric rise, he was a roommate to a young and impressionable Flad. They met during Ben’s freshman year of college and quickly became brothers (see the Couch Flad explanation in Kyle’s profile). They played T-Woods, grilled various meats, watch the Sopranos and took many quests around Grand Forks – from Parrot’s Cay to Rhombus Pizza. For some reason, there was a lot of balloons and a lot of Crisco at one point in time. Chase also gave Ben a replica of the greatest shirt of all time. It has a killer bass on it.
Nick Ollrich
Groomsman
Ben met Nick when he moved to Fertile in elementary school. They were fast friends through basketball, football and Susie’s banana bread (that's Nick's mom). You are probably jealous that they attended multiple peak Warped Tour concerts. Following high school, they were the dynamic duo for several summers at the Inn at Maple Crossing. During the day, they completed groundswork, served meals, painted and did any other odd jobs. On nights and weekends, they spent countless hours on Maple Lake, they administered bonfires and, as it turns out, they needed much less sleep back then.
Chris (VC) Ehrhart
Groomsman
Ben met “Virginia” Chris when they worked together at the Inn at Maple Crossing. They’ve spent many summers on Maple Lake, driving in the Chrysler Concorde at low speeds and getting overly competitive at yard/card games. They share a love of movies and have spent many hours in theaters and a variety of basements binge watching shows (as long as there are no musicals). Chris recently moved to Minnesota full-time and it has been great to see him more often.
Kora Fladhammer
Flower Babe
Kora is the only daughter of Ben's only brother but she's pretty special for more reasons than that! This girl has an excited energy like you've never seen before. She's artsy, she loves dolls and unicorns, she swims, and she can do ANYthing her big bro Jake does!
Nora Bohn
Flower Babe
This babe packs a personality punch! She's Nolte's (Chelsey Bohn) oldest daughter and she is fierce! She is unapologetically girly - glitter, sun dresses for twirling even in the winter, barbies. But don't let that fool you, she is also not afraid to get in the mud and crash her scooter around the neighborhood. Nora is bold and sensitive at the same time and the proudest big sister we've ever seen!
Alaina Paradis
Flower Babe
Look at this sweetheart and just try not to give her all of your worldly posessions! Alaina is Kali's daughter. Like her mother when she was young, she is cute and sweet but can defiantly command a room full of adults (and we mean defiantly, not definitely). She's been managing the owners and staff of Lakeview since 2020.
Jacob Fladhammer
Ring King
Big Bro Jake is the first born of Erik. This guy fishes, he battlebots, and he's becoming a sports statistician just like his Uncle Ben when he was young. He leads the Flad pack....usually down to the lake with a rod in hand, and is the best brother. Ask him about his Griddy - it's the best north of Minneapolis!
Micah Fladhammer
Ring King
Micah is the 3rd child of Erik's and stiff competition for any cuteness overload contest. He's got the best infectious laugh - which you scan almost hear in this picture. Micah is a pretty laid back guy, always down to tag along with his big brother and sister. Being #3 of 4, there isn't much that gets stuck in this kids craw and we love that about it him!
Colton Schley
Ring King
Colton is the son of Sarah and is a perfect 50/50 mix of his parents. He's got a devious sense of humor like his mother and is a natural motorhead like his father. He hangs with adults just as easily as he does with the kids. Colton is a lover all around - he's fun to watch with pets or people and brings joy wherever he goes.
Paul Shore
Best Boy
Paul, AKA Pauly Wog or P. Hound, joined Ben and Katie's family in July of 2022. When they first brought him home, his mop of curly dark hair reminded them of Pauly Shore. Aside from being a beloved '90s icon, he's silly, loves to snuggle, actually watches TV, and doesn't shed! Paul is usually beloved wherever he goes, except for at the Nolte/Bohn household where Ziva (their dog) would prefer if he just left. If you're edged 'cause he's weazin all your grindage, just chill. Don't tax his gig so hard-core cruster.
Chris West
Paul Bearer
Chris is Abby's husband and he's British! Even without his accent he'd be charming, though. He's the lead singer of a band called Drop Down Smiling (check it out, they're on Spotify), he's an exceptional iPhone photographer, great husband and fur-dad to Honey (their doodle), amazing friend, and he LOVES Paul!