Lula Irene SwatzkeOctober 10, 1918 - October 21, 2017VisaliaLula Irene Speight Swatzke, born on October 10, 1918 in Dadeville, Missouri to Lora Marie and Oral Clinton Speight. She would often tell people that she was a WWI baby, born one month and one day before the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. Irene passed away on October 21, 2017 at the age of 99 years and 11 days.Irene attended grammar school in Dadeville, Missouri before moving to California with her parents, sister and brother in 1926. In growing up she attended Highland Elementary, Webster Middle School and Visalia Union High School (now Redwood High School) and took some classes at Visalia Junior College. She worked as a bookkeeper for a local laundry before marrying Donald Deroy Swatzke. They were married 10 years and had two sons, Carl Clinton and Richard Myron Swatzke. Bothe sons preceded her in death as did her parents and a baby great grandson, her sister Mary Faye Speight Routen and her brother John Clinton (J.C.) Speight.Irene was the oldest of 5 children. Surviving Irene is her sister, Ivergene Speight Petty and brother, Oral Clifton Speight; grandchildren - Shari Anne Hannah, Deborah Swatzke Hopper, Jennifer Swatzke and John Clifton Swatzke and three great grandchildren. Irene worked in sales at several local stores in her younger years and at Thrifty Drug Stores in Fresno and Porterville. She also worked many years at both Boffs and Bothofs Bakeries in Visalia before she retired to help care for her mother.For the last few years she has been living at Redwood Springs Healthcare Center in Visalia. Her family would like to thank them for the loving care they gave to her.Visitation will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia on Thursday, October 26, 2017 from 2 - 6 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Visalia Public Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave., in Visalia on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 12 Noon with Pastor Harry Wood officiating, long time former pastor of the Visalia United Methodist Church.Remembrances may be made to donor's church or favorite charity in Irene's name.Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA (559)732-8371