Doreen “Kutasraaq’’ Schenkenberger
Doreen “Kutasraaq’’ Schenkenberger passed onto her next journey into the afterlife of colon cancer on December 13, 2025 at the age of 62 wonderful years. She beat the diagnosis for eight years, never giving up, Doreen was not one to shy away from a challenge.
Doreen Martin was born on February 16, 1963 in Nome, Alaska to Anthony and Edna Martin, who preceded her in death as did her grandparents Harry and Laura Anne Johnsen, and Fred and Alice Koochoochin Walker.
Doreen is survived by her children Sean and Kaelyn Schenkenberger, her siblings Angela (Timothy) James, Leah Senungetuk, Jason (Kristine) Martin, Renita Magnuson, Daphne Tocktoo, Briggetta Buffas, Renea Martin and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
Brothers Sterling and Blondy preceded Doreen in death. Doreen also leaves many life- long and cherished friends, ‘my family and friends made me a better person’ she said.
Doreen lived life to the fullest, marrying the love of her life, Daniel Schenkenberger and moving to Anchorage in 1989. Doreen and Daniel travelled Alaska on many adventures, exploring and enjoying our beautiful state, hunting, fishing and climbing mountains until his passing in 2002.
Daniel and Doreen adored and spent their years together raising their children Sean and Kaelyn. They took the kids everywhere they ventured, flying, snowmachining, and camping all over Alaska, spending a majority of their time at the family cabin they built in Skwentna, Alaska.
Gardening was another passion, ‘’free therapy” Doreen called it. On any warm day you’d find her in her gardens for hours, weeding, pruning and giving her utmost attention to all her plants, often accompanied by Nuiruk, the family labrador. She also enjoyed reading, skiing, art and spending weekends sitting by the fire drinking coffee with her kids.
Doreen graduated from the University of Alaska, Anchorage with her BA in Business Management, she received her MBA from Alaska Pacific University and gained valuable experience working for Kawerak, Chugachmiut and MTNT. Ltd. But working for Partners for Progress and the Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group (AKTCA), both non-profit Social Justice organizations, was Doreen’s passion. She spent many years in service for our most disadvantaged populations, advocating for equity and services to decrease addiction and incarceration.
Doreen received the BP Woman of Achievement award in 2019 for her service in the field of social justice. Doreen co-founded the AKTCA in 2006. The group is a nationally recognized Peer Support Group supporting Alaska’s statewide Therapeutic Courts and working at the national level to bring lived experience peer support to therapeutic courts nationwide. She served for many years on both organization’s board of directors, and as CEO for Partners for Progress, Inc. since 2014 until she passed.
A Celebration of Life will be held later in Anchorage. Her ashes, along with Dan’s, will be spread in the Nome, Mt. Osborne area and in Skwentna, Alaska.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni Group, 417 Barrow St., Anchorage, AK. 99501 or through their website at https://www.aktcalumni.org/