The Heartbreaking Journey of Heimo and Edna Korth: Surviving Alaska’s Wilderness and the Tragedy That Shaped Their Lives

In the heart of Alaska’s unforgiving wilderness, where the landscape is as breathtaking as it is brutal, lives a couple whose story is one of resilience, love, and unimaginable loss.

Heimo and Edna Korth, featured prominently in the documentary series The Last Alaskans, have spent over 40 years embracing a life that most people would find impossible to endure.

Their journey through the harsh realities of off-the-grid living is not just a tale of survival; it is also marked by profound heartbreak that has tested their spirits and strengthened their bond.

Heimo Korth was not born into the rugged lifestyle he now leads.

Raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, Heimo grew up in a family that did not prioritize outdoor skills.

His father, a factory worker, provided a stable life, but young Heimo felt a deep yearning for the wild—a calling that would eventually lead him far from the comforts of suburban life.

At just 18, he set off for Canada’s Northwest Territories, seeking adventure and independence, but the realities of the Vietnam War cast a shadow over his journey, making him a target of suspicion and judgment.

His early experiences in the wilderness were fraught with challenges.

After struggling to make ends meet as an assistant to a hunting guide, Heimo returned to Wisconsin, only to find that the call of the wild was stronger than ever.

A pivotal opportunity arose when he was offered a position working for a guide in Alaska, which set him on a path that would define his life.

It was in Alaska that Heimo’s life would change forever.

While living in a small Eskimo village, he met Edna, a member of the Yupik people, who was raised with the skills necessary to survive in the harsh environment.

Edna’s upbringing was steeped in the traditions of her people, learning how to fish, hunt, and trap from a young age.

Their initial connection blossomed into a deep relationship, and in 1982, they married, embarking on a life together in the wilderness.

However, Edna’s past was marked by tragedy.

Before meeting Heimo, she had been engaged to a Swedish biologist and had two children, Melinda and Merlin.

The devastating loss of her fiancé in a plane crash left her to raise her children alone, a burden that weighed heavily on her heart.

When Heimo entered her life, he adopted Melinda, and together they navigated the complexities of family life in the wilderness.

The Korths welcomed their first daughter, Colleen, shortly after their marriage.

Colleen was a vibrant child, full of curiosity and life, often exploring the vast wilderness around their home.

Tragically, just days after her second birthday, Colleen drowned in a river accident, a loss that shattered their world.

The grief was overwhelming, and though friends and family urged them to leave the wilderness and start anew, Heimo and Edna refused to abandon the place that held their daughter’s memory.

In their sorrow, they found strength in each other and in the land they had chosen.

Heimo carved a wooden cross to mark Colleen’s resting place on a mountain overlooking their home, a poignant reminder of their love and loss.

They continued to honor her memory, making regular pilgrimages to the mountain where they placed her cross, a tradition that helped them cope with their grief.

As the years passed, the Korths welcomed two more daughters, Ronda and Krenn, who grew up in the same wilderness that had shaped their parents.

The Korth family became a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, thriving in an environment that many would consider inhospitable.

Heimo became renowned as one of the best wolverine trappers in North America, while Edna focused on essential tasks, crafting winter gear and ensuring their family was prepared for the harsh Alaskan winters.

Their life was documented in various media, starting with Braving Alaska, a National Geographic special that introduced Heimo and Edna to a wider audience.

This exposure continued with the book The Final Frontiersman, which chronicled Heimo’s life, and culminated in the reality series The Last Alaskans.

The show showcased not only their survival skills but also the emotional depth of their story, including the heartbreaking moments that defined their journey.

Despite the challenges they faced, Heimo and Edna remained committed to their life in the wilderness.

They understood that leaving would mean abandoning the memories of their daughter and the life they had built together.

Their connection to the land was not just about survival; it was about honoring the legacy of their family and the traditions that had sustained them for generations.

Even as their daughters grew up and moved away, the Korths maintained their ties to the wilderness.

Each summer, they would reunite with their children and grandchildren, sharing the beauty and challenges of their lifestyle.

Heimo and Edna’s enduring love for each other and their commitment to their way of life serve as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Heimo and Edna Korth’s story is one of profound loss, unwavering love, and the indomitable spirit of survival.

Their journey through the Alaskan wilderness is not just about the struggle to live off the land; it is about the connections they have forged, the memories they cherish, and the legacy they continue to build.

As they navigate the challenges of aging and the solitude of their remote home, their bond remains unbreakable, a testament to the power of love in the face of life’s greatest trials.

In a world that often seeks comfort and convenience, the Korths choose to embrace the wild, finding beauty and meaning in the very land that has shaped their lives.