Soldotna Mayor Nels Anderson speaks to a crowd Tuesday March 19, 2013 during a candidate forum hosted by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at the Soldotna Sports Center. (Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Mayor Nels Anderson speaks to a crowd Tuesday March 19, 2013 during a candidate forum hosted by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at the Soldotna Sports Center. (Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion)

Community mourns Soldotna Mayor Nels Anderson

Anderson passed away Tuesday morning, according to a shared Facebook post from the mayor’s son.

City of Soldotna Mayor Nels Anderson passed away Tuesday morning, according to a shared Facebook post from the mayor’s son, Nate Anderson.

“Our dad, John Nels Anderson MD, “Doc”, Mayor Anderson passed to the other side this morning,” Nate Anderson wrote in his Facebook post. “I couldn’t be more proud to be his son. He went down fighting to the end. Love you dad. Will never watch a Dodger Game, eat a bowl of chocolate chip mint ice cream, or back bounce Big Eddy without thinking of you. Till we meet again.”

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen said the city’s heart go out to Dr. Anderson’s family.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences,” Queen said. “Mayor Anderson was beloved in this community, and a true public servant. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his friends and neighbors, and we are forever grateful.”

Anderson was elected to serve as mayor in 2017. Anderson previously served as Soldotna’s mayor from 2013 to 2015. He also served on city council from 2009 to 2012 and on the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education for about 15 years prior to that.

Anderson worked as a doctor and helped deliver many babies in the central peninsula, including Soldotna City Council member Tim Cashman’s son. Cashman said Anderson has been a huge part of his family and life for a long time.

“It’s been an honor for me to be able to work with him,” Cashman said. “I’ve never met a single person who did so much and asked for so little. I wish his family the best.”

Cashman said Soldotna has big shoes to fill.

Tyson Cox, another council member on Soldotna City Council, also said it was an honor to work with Anderson.

“He will be missed not only by me, but by the entire city and area,” Cox said. “He’s been part of this community for a long time. He will be greatly missed.”

The Clarion previously reported that he and his wife traveled to west Africa to go on a mission trip for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2016.

Nels Anderson was also part of the Last Frontier chapter of the International Dutch Oven Society, and over the last decade, hosted several statewide Dutch Oven Championships during Soldotna’s Progress Days.

Stan Steadman, a member of the Last Frontier Dutch Oven Society, said he knew Anderson well.

“He was a wonderful man who reached so many sectors of our community,” Steadman said.

In a Facebook post, the City of Kenai also offered condolences to the mayor’s family.

“Our deepest sympathies are with Mayor Anderson’s Family and the City of Soldotna at this time,” the city’s Facebook post said.

More in News

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
King salmon fishing on Kasilof to close Thursday

If any king salmon is caught while fishing for other species, they may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

James Wardlow demonstrates flilleting a salmon with an ulu during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Refuge to celebrate all things fish during weeklong event

Fish Week will take place July 16-19.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board finalizes budget with deep cuts to programming, classrooms

Multiple members of the board said they were frustrated by the state’s failure to fund education.

Former KPBSD Finance Director Liz Hayes speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School district finance department earns national awards

The two awards are based on comprehensive reviews of the district’s budget and financial reporting.

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Most Read