Tuesday, April 16, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Private services were held today for Tona Cashman Siefert, a native Las Vegan, beauty queen and socialite who became one of the community's top businesswomen.
The former Miss Helldorado, who along with her father, James "Big Jim" Cashman, and brother, James Cashman Jr., built the multimillion-dollar Cashman car dealership, died Sunday at a local hospital. She was 71.
Siefert also was the wife of prominent Las Vegas banker Charles Siefert, who was a member of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board from 1969-75. He was an executive vice president with the Bank of Nevada and First National Bank from the 1950s to the mid-'70s.
Still, Tona Siefert carved out a career of her own that in 1983 earned her recognition by a local civic group as one of Las Vegas' top businesswomen.
Born Sept. 23, 1924, in Las Vegas, Siefert won the Miss Las Vegas and Miss Helldorado crowns in 1941 at age 17. A year later, she graduated from Las Vegas High School, then attended finishing school in Columbia, Mo., and Sawyers School of Business in Los Angeles.
Siefert returned to Las Vegas and began a career in the car business that would result in her becoming vice president and co-owner of Cashman Cadillac, and co-owner of James Cashman Co. and Charton U-Drive, a company based in Maui, Hawaii.
Among the many civic organizations to which Siefert belonged were the Junior League of Las Vegas (34 years) and University Medical Center Women's Auxiliary.
She was a supporter of Young Audiences Inc., the Clark County Public Education Foundation, Meadows School, the United Methodist Church, the YMCA, Nevada Dance Theatre, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada and the UNLV Foundation.
Despite the time her business and civic activities required, family members said she had an "unwavering devotion to her family" as a wife and mother.
In addition to her husband and brother, Siefert is survived by two sons, Lee Siefert and Robert Margison Jr.; a stepson, Charles Siefert Jr., all of Las Vegas; and eight grandchildren.
Palm Mortuary handled the arrangements.
DONATIONS: In Siefert's memory to the Charles H. and Tona C. Siefert Scholarship Fund in care of the UNLV Foundation.
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