REGINA “JEANNE” BURT VON TOBEL
Jeanne was born in Patterson, NJ in 1925 and passed away peacefully on July 11, 2023 at the age of 98. Jeanne was educated by the Sisters of Charity at St. John Catholic High. She graduated at 16 with honors and a high school business degree. This allowed her to begin working at John Hancock Insurance Company where she learned bookkeeping. At 18, she met her first husband, Carol Burt, on a blind date. Carol was originally from Las Vegas but on leave after WWII.
Jeanne was 20 when she married Carol and moved to Las Vegas. In Las Vegas Jeanne was hired at the El Cortez Hotel in the accounting department. In 1945, there were very few women that worked on the corporate side of the casino business. Jeanne helped lead the way for business women in the casino industry. When the El Rancho Hotel was built ( the first hotel on the strip) she was hired as the assistant auditor. As glamorous as she was smart; In 1948, the El Rancho Hotel chose Jeanne to be their float queen in the Helldorado parade. Unfortunately, Carol died at the age of
29, leaving Jeanne as a single mother to raise their 8 year old son, Johnny. Resilient Jeanne, with the help of her in-laws who owned Burt-bunker mortuary, was able to continue working at the El Rancho while also helping out with the mortuary business when needed. A few years later Jeanne met Jake Von Tobel. Jake had also lost his wife and was raising 4 children on his own. They fell in love and were married in 1958. They combined both families and then had 2 more children totaling 7 in all. Jeanne was active in the daughters of Catholic Charities. Jeanne was on the board that raised money and developed the first YMCA in Las Vegas. Jeanne will be remembered for her time modeling in fashion shows for charities or serving on committees for balls and fundraising events in early Las Vegas. Because of her work, Jeanne was voted Las Vegas’ best dressed business woman in 1966. Jeanne loved music and entertainment and went out with Jake weekly to see the great performers that headlined the strip. Jeanne and Jake were one of the first members of the Las Vegas Country Club and took the Halloween contest very seriously…winning it several times. They loved Runnin Rebel Basketball. Jeanne was a good golfer but started playing tennis in her 40’s. She played bridge weekly. After her husband Jake passed in 1993, Jeanne took up ballroom dancing and danced into her 90’s. Of all Jeanne’s accomplishments, she was most proud of combining the two families and being a good Mother to all 7 of her children as well as a good wife to
Jake. She had a strong faith in God and always had a positive attitude in life. Jeanne lived her life to the fullest.
Jeanne is preceded in death by her husbands, Carol Burt and Jacob Von Tobel, her son John Burt and her daughter
Mary Kay Von Tobel Kimmel. Jeanne is survived by Barbara Von Tobel, James Von Tobel, Dr. Willliam Von Tobel
(Yolanda), Julie Von Tobel Gleason (Michael) and Donald Von Tobel (Judi), 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren who are her legacy. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September
28th, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Guardian Angel Cathedral, 302 Cathedral Way celebrated by Bishop Gregory Gordon, Recitation of the Holy Rosary will precede the mass at 10:00 AM also at the Cathedral. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to The Catholic Newman Center Building fund at UNLV, (buildingfundnow.givesmart.com) or the Salvation Army of Southern Nevada.