Johanna M. (Pike) Hall died on December 5, 2025 in Alliance, Nebraska.
Johanna was born on September 10, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York, to Gilbert William and Bridget Frances (Mason) Pike. She was the seventh of eight children and loved being part of a large family. When she was nine, her father died in an industrial accident which left her family devastated right before Christmas. Jo was invited and awarded a scholarship to attend an all-girl Catholic High School for gifted students and graduated in 1958.
In 1959, she met and married Jon W. Hall. Their union brought three children: Linda, Sandi and Ward. Jon and Jo moved with their family all over the United States, even to Midway Island, with the U.S. Navy. They enjoyed being part of the military family communities along the way. After Jon’s retirement, they settled in his hometown of Alliance Nebraska, where she remained until her death.
As a lifelong book lover, Jo enjoyed diving into every library and used bookstore she passed. Her favorite genre was murder mystery. She also traveled to several literary mystery conferences to meet authors and other avid readers from near and far. This love of reading served her well during her time at the Alliance Library. She instilled a love of reading and adventure, especially for all the young “princesses” and “sunshines” who visited.
After her retirement, she stayed busy with attending the activities of her grandkids, chatting with friends at book club and Red Hat Society, having lunch at the senior center, volunteering with RSVP and getting together with her family. She was always willing to play Phase 10 with her great-grandkids or any other game you were willing to try. In Trivial Pursuit, her only weakness was the sports category and she would still win. She even tried out to be on Jeopardy! She was fun to play with and against. Those games will not be the same without her.
She is survived by her brother Roger Pike of Atlanta, GA and her children, Linda Jines (Steve Steinman), Sandi (Greg) Morava of Alliance, and Ward (Julie) Hall of Las Vegas, NV. She was known as Gma Jo to Jessica (Price) McDonald of Torrington, WY, Jake (Cami) Mann of Douglas, WY, Sam (Bryce) Whitaker of Alliance, Joe (Jessica) Mann of Elgin, SC, Tyler (Alex) Jines of Alliance, Jenny (Aaron) Steggs of Lincoln, Alicia Morava of Lincoln, Casey (Jessica) Steinman of Chattanooga, TN, Courtney (Jeff) Steinman of Gering, Kelly (Jess) Jewitt of Alliance, Kyle (Sam) Steinman of Alliance, Trevor (MaeAnn) Greeley of Riverside, CA, and Zach (Emily) Greeley of Riverside, CA. She earned the title of Grandma Great to Cadence and Barrett McDonald, Harper, Hadlee and Hayzlee Mann, Scarlett Mann, Kallista Kohler and Brynn Jines, Layla and Maggie Steggs, Annika, Jack and Kendall Steinman, Tiesha (Chris) Saldivar, Isiah Ramirez and Conor Cardiff, Trinity and Renee Jewitt, Bayleigh and Caelen McCracken, Blake, Phoenix, and William Steinman, Justin, Nolan and Scarlett Greeley. Along with numerous nieces and nephews who also survive.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jon, her son-in-law, Allen Jines, her parents and six of her seven siblings.
Memorials are suggested to the Alliance Library Foundation or charity of your choice. In lieu of flowers, buy some books because that is what Jo would do.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, December 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Matt Koperski officiating. Inurnment will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.