Steven F. Miller

Steve Miller, 69, passed away peacefully, with Gina by his side, on Sunday, February 9th, 2025, after battling dementia. Born on November 25th, 1955, to James R. and Delpha (Bottorf) Miller, Steve had an active childhood growing up in Aurora, Nebraska. When he was 10, he made the decision to believe in Jesus Christ as his Savior, and was baptized in the Aurora Christian Church. He was very close to his Grandma Bottorf, and marveled at her ability to make little toys out of sticks, cheer on old-school wrestling stars on tv, and read her well-worn Bible into the night hours.

Steve had a passion for football, baseball and basketball, and was quite gifted athletically, but also put in tremendous work, perfecting each skill and learning plays. He carried a ball around town every where he went, at the advice of one of his beloved coaches. He loved playing quarterback, and with his size, he had to learn to scramble and get open faster than most. He also had a long-standing record in the high hurdles.

When he wasn’t playing sports, he was busy with Boy Scouts, doing chores, riding his bike, learning to hunt and fish, or was stirring up mischief with the neighborhood kids. He loved the freedom of growing up in a small town in the 60’s and 70’s. He was exempt from the draft due to his colorblindness, but was very proud of his big brother going off to the Vietnam War to fight for our country.

Steve graduated from Aurora High School in 1974. He was excited to attend his 50th class reunion last June. After 2 years at Kearney State College, he entered the work force, becoming a “jack-of-all-trades” in a variety of job settings. Despite his fear of heights, he took on a job for Burlington Northern Railroad, climbing communication poles in Ashland. It was while working for BN and living in Lincoln, that he met the love of his life, Gina Dolen. She happened to be on spring break from nursing school in Omaha and attended a gathering of mostly Aurora people. It was the spring equinox of 1981, and the rest is history.

They were married on May 5, 1984, in Lincoln. A week short of their 10th anniversary, they welcomed their first son, Trevor, into their family, followed by Andrew a couple years later. He supported his family with his sales jobs at Carlson Systems and Xpedx, before taking a job as the building superintendent at New Covenant Church. Outside of work, his true passion was teaching his boys how to run routes, shoot jumpers or hit a ball on the sweet spot of the bat. He never tired of coaching their youth teams. He even took a crash course in soccer when there seemed to be a shortage of volunteers from the parent pool. Most importantly, he taught them how to be respectable young men, showing appreciation for the opportunity to play sports. A handshake to the umpires after a game was a must.

There was often music on at the Miller House – classic rock, country, blues, anything with soul. There were dogs barking, and Husker games blaring, plus Steve’s famous announcer voice, introducing the star players of the championship team, as they ran out onto the “field” – Trevor as Eric Crouch, Andrew as Joel Mackovicka! No dull moments!

When he needed a little time away, he went hunting, fishing or golfing with his good buddies. Stories from these weekends were priceless to Steve. He loved to travel, too. The family met up in Idaho last June, then celebrated in San Diego last August with extended family. The mountains and the beach were his favorite destinations.

Becoming a grandpa to Hannah was probably the best surprise of his life. Not having a little girl in the house before, he had to learn to attend tea parties and cover his ears when she and her little friends would squeal. You would often find them in the backyard, digging up worms, watering the garden, or him pushing her on the swing.

Steve is survived by his wife, Gina, his sons, Dr. Trevor Miller, of Roswell, New Mexico, and Andrew Miller, of Lincoln, his granddaughter, Hannah, dog kids, Emma and Hazel, his brother, Jim Miller (Stephany), of Aurora, brother-in-laws, Rick Dolen (Laurine), and Gregg Dolen, both of Lincoln, many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and many four-legged friends.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Monday, February 17th, 2025 at 2 pm at First Free Church, 3300 South 84th Street, in Lincoln.

The service can be live-streamed here.

Memorials to First Free Church or Cause for Paws.

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