Three generations of women and one wedding dress

For three generations of women they had a connection besides family when they wed as they all used the same wedding dress.

The first one to wear the dress was the late Odelia (Nachbar) Riesgraf when she married Andrew Riesgraf May 9, 1939 in Jordan. Her daughter, Brenda (Riesgraf) Kern wore it June 6, 1987 when she married Scott Kern also in Jordan. Brenda’s daughter, Emily, wore it when she married Joseph Graves in New Prague Aug. 22 this year.

“I’m surprised it actually happened,” said Brenda Kern about the dress being used three times.

Kern’s mom had used the dress, which included a veil and when Kern’s now husband Scott had proposed, Kern considered using her mom’s dress. Odelia asked her daughter if she was sure if she wanted to. Kern said she was, although Kern had to replace some of the lace as it had disintegrated over time. Also, Kern didn’t use a veil when she married. Kern said her mom passed away in 2012.

When Emily became engaged she asked to see the wedding dress. Kern got the dress out of storage and Emily looked at it. “Do you really want to wear that?” Kern asked her daughter, just as her mom had asked.

“She (Emily) liked it and asked if she could get it altered,” Kern said, who agreed Emily could change it. “We found a wonderful seamstress,” said Kern, adding it was Sew Special Bridals in Prior Lake. “She did a wonderful job,” Kern said, adding Emily was very pleased when she saw the dress. “I was thrilled.”

When Emily’s wedding at The Broz Event Venue in New Prague was held, she wore a veil made by the seamstress. The family had also included a plaque at the wedding which explained the legacy of the dress. “People loved it,” said Kern about the dress. “They were excited by it’s legacy.”