Utah's Last Pioneer Passes 107th Year By George A. Sorensen Tribune Staff Writer She still is as fussy about her hair as a 16-year-old about to go out on her first date. And she's still looking for a man to "lean on." She is Utah's last living pioneer and is not vain. She is Mrs. Hilda Anderson Erick¬son, who celebrated her 107th birthday anniversary Friday and was looking forward to an open house which will honor her Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hillhaven Convalescent Nursing Home, 35-9th East. Mrs. Erickson is proud of her hair, which still retains enough of its original redness to give it a golden-white tint. She is thrilled that despite her age that her hair has not gone completely white. Whenever possible — about once a week if she has her way — she likes to visit a beauty parlor to have her hair "fixed up." She was born in Ledsjo, Sweden, and came to Utah as one of the 80,000 who crossed the plains before the railroad arrived in 1896. Injured in Fall She spent most of her life in Grantsville and is still wor¬ried about getting back home and "fixing things up." She has been in a convalescent home recovering from a fall at her home in May when she injured her face, head and shoulder. Though still alert and active, Mrs. Erickson finds it hard to hear people unless they talk directly into her ear. Her mind is, active, and she comprehends a great many things and carries on a lively conversation. One daughter is still living. She is Mrs. Amy Hicks, Salt Lake City. Mrs. Erickson has eight grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and ''I don't know how many great-great -grandchildren." Many Descendants "I know of seven great- great - grandchildren, but I find it hard to keep up with the young ones who get mar¬ried and go sprouting around various places to live," she chuckled. Her health is still good, but she describes herself as "just skin and bones." She insisted that a grand¬daughter, Mrs. L. W. Richins, get her out of bed and into a dress Friday, "because I may have visitors." Then she asked the photog¬rapher to delay his arrival for a while so that she could have her hair fixed up for the pic¬ture. An orchid, several sprays of flowers and a large birthday cake all brought a happy light into her eyes Friday.