Stephen "Steve" Marco Miller, a prolific writer, dedicated editor, and one of the nation’s foremost experts on wooden duck decoys, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was 86 years old.

Steve was born on August 18, 1939, in DePere, Wisconsin, to Marvin and Ruth Miller. Growing up along the Fox River, he developed a lifelong passion for duck hunting and fishing at a young age. Steve graduated from the University of Iowa in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts, having honed his craft at the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop. That same year, in December 1963, he married Kathryn Moon, whom he met at University of Iowa.

Steve began his professional writing career in New York City in 1965 as an editor for Ducks Unlimited. He later returned to his home state, joining the University of Wisconsin Press. For 30 years, Steve served as the Head of the Scholarly Journals division until his retirement in 2004. Alongside his professional career, he was a prolific freelance writer. He authored regular columns for Camping Journal, Remington and Ducks Unlimited, and received the prestigious Artists in Fellowship Award from the Wisconsin Arts Board in 1987.

Steve was a renowned authority on waterfowl history, publishing several definitive books including

• Early American Waterfowling: 1700s–1930s
• Duck Hunting on the Fox: Hunting and Decoy-Carving Traditions (2002)

And even a book of poetry:

• The Last Camp in America (Midwestern Writers Publishing House, 1982)

An avid waterfowler from his teenage years into his late 70s, Steve did not just write about the sport; he lived it. He carved at least 50 working decoys for his own hunting trips and amassed an extraordinary personal collection of historic decoys.

Together with Kathryn, he raised two sons, Daniel and David. The family shared a deep love for the outdoors, embarking on hundreds of fishing, hunting, and camping trips together. Their adventures took them across Wisconsin, through the Boundary Waters, out West, and along the shores of Chesapeake Bay and Long Island.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Ruth, and his brother, Theodore. He is survived by his sons Daniel and David; sisters Anne and Lisa; ex-wife, Kathryn; daughter-in-law Danitza; and grandchildren Renata and Ian.

A visitation will be held 9:30-11 am, followed by a Mass on May 26, 2026 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Dr. Madison, WI. Following the mass, family and friends are invited to a reception/lunch (location TBD) to celebrate Steve's life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Ducks Unlimited in support of wetlands and waterfowl conservation—a cause that remained close to Steve's heart throughout his entire life.

Please share your memories of Steve by posting in his guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434