He was born in Taos to Edwin Bernard Wolken and Sophie Margaret Kliethermes Wolken. He was married on October 4, 1958 in Taos to Ruth Kathryn Rackers who survives at the home. Other survivors include two sons, John B. Wolken and Jerome A. Wolken, both of Jefferson City; one daughter, Joyce A. Lamb, Jefferson City; seven grandchildren; and one sister, Dorothy Kresl, Crestwood. He was employed with Landwehr Dairy; Pletz-Lewis Construction Company; Von Hoffman Press; A.J. Rackers Heating and Air Conditioning; Jefferson City Public Schools; and farmed for many years in Cole County. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; Teamsters Union Local 833; and a former member of the Missouri National Guard. Memorials are suggested to Immacultate Conception Catholic Church, 1206 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. He was a 1954 graduate of St. Peter High School.