Herman was born on November 4, 1937 to Carl and Caroline (Lassle) Wilken in Glendive, MT. He attended and graduated from Glendive High School in 1955. He joined the Air Force in 1955 and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, MT. He grew up on a large family farm where he learned his hard work ethics and his amazing tinkering ability of being able to fix and make things out of what was available. He loved anything with an engine but especially 1950 and 1960 automobiles, his preference being “Hot Rod Mopars”. He worked in the automotive industry owning an auto parts store and two different autobody shops. He was well known in the industry for excellent craftsmanship in restoring and repairing vehicles and working for his customers first. In his later years he was into restoring antique tractors that he would haul around to different shows pulled by his custom Semi-truck. He is predeceased by his parents and is survived by his cherished wife Myke Wilken, his children Debra Martinez, Brad Wilken, Kristi Wilken (Leo Wheeler), stepchildren Andy Durr (Susie and Emma), Brian Durr (Sopalla), Pete Durr (Yuliya), his grandson Emory Thomas (Angela), his sister Loreen Naylor and his brothers Ernest Wilken (Linda), Larry Wilken (Cheryl) and many nieces and nephews. 

Herman lived a life dedicated to God, his family and country. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Franciscan Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401-1502