Jim Entwistle, Jr.

James M. “Jim” Entwistle, Jr., 73, of Bettendorf, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

A memorial service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. The family will greet friends from 11 a.m. until the service begins. Keeping with Jim’s wishes, his body was donated to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program. Memorials may be made to River Action, Nahant Marsh Education Center or a charity of your choice.

James Matthew Entwistle, Jr. was born on September 13, 1952, in Sikeston, Missouri, to Genevieve (Kallal) and James M. Entwistle, Sr. He graduated from University City High School in St. Louis, Missouri, before attending Missouri University S&T graduating with a BS in petroleum engineering, and later went on to earn his master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Oklahoma.

Working as an engineer for Phillips Petroleum, the company sent him to work in the North Sea off the coast of Norway. While living in Norway he met Siv Brit Saetre at a disco in 1977. After several years together he convinced her to move to Oklahoma where they were united in marriage on February 27, 1981.

Jim was always grateful for his life and loved playing an active role in his children’s lives. Jim marched to the beat of his own drum, happy, involved, and full of energy.

Jim was a superb athlete whose first great love was swimming. He excelled at water polo, founded the water polo club at Rolla and then joined a water polo club in Stavanger, winning the 1977 Norwegian Water Polo championship. Later, Jim participated in many triathlons and ran marathons posting a personal best 3:08 finish. He was a regular at YMCA pools and found great pleasure in riding in 18 RAGBRAIs.

Jim’s other passion was photography. With camera in hand, he was always ready to take pictures of nature and to capture the best portraits of people.

Those left to cherish Jim’s memory are his beloved wife, Siv Brit Saetre M.D., Bettendorf; children: Solveig Entwistle, Brooklyn, New York and James M. Entwistle, III, Bettendorf; siblings: Mary (Christopher) Scholbe, Kansas, City, Missouri, Ruth Entwistle, Lawrence, Kansas, Amy (Douglas) Franks, Lenexa, Kansas, and Carol Entwistle, St. Louis, Missouri, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Paul Entwistle. May they rest in eternal peace.