Harold Ennulat

Harold Ennulat was born “Harald” Ennulat to Emilie and Otto Ennulat on October 2, 1952 in Wolfsburg, Germany. When Harold was about 4 years old, his family, along with a younger sister, Jutta, was sponsored by a relative and immigrated to Chicago. The family eventually made their home in Oak Lawn, Illinois where Harold grew up.

Harold graduated from the University of Illinois – Circle Campus with a degree in electrical engineering. During his six years at U of IL, he was also a keyboard player in a few rock-and-roll bands. He hauled his cut down B3 organ and two Leslie speakers from venue to venue throughout the Chicago area.

It was during his years in college that Harold he was introduced to what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus. He then made the decision to put Jesus Christ first in his life and live to worship Him. As a new Christian, he wrestled with the role music had in his life and eventually made the decision to move to Minnesota and attend Bethel Seminary, leaving his music behind. After completing his first year of seminary, Harold chose to pursue a career in engineering.

Harold worked at 3M as a Process Instruments & Controls Engineer with Corporate in St. Paul, MN for 15 years. He later worked at Imation, a 3M spin-off, and eventually with several other companies; Distinction In Design, AMEC, Dimension Industries, FOTH, Remmele Engineering, Lakeland Companies, Control Assemblies, and Accraply. After which he continued to work for contract engineering firms until he fully retired in 2020. He loved the challenge of solving a problem or making things better. Throughout his career he worked with a wide variety of projects; producing the media for VHS tape and floppy disks, Kodak disk camera film, post it notes and tape flags, grain handling safety systems, automation of manufacturing operations, and the Pearson’s Nut Roll. Harold was proud to hold a Professional Engineer (PE) certificate.

During his time at 3M, Harold became a naturalized citizen of the United States and officially changed his name to Harold.

Harold met his wife, Kari (Holter), through a singles sailing ministry which he helped launch at Grace Church of Edina. After the Grace Sailing leadership team prayed over those registered for the weekend trip, Kari was assigned to crew on Harold’s boat. That weekend began a 35-year sailing adventure for the two of them.

Harold and Kari were married in 1991 and built their home in Woodbury, MN in 1995. Together they enjoyed bareboat chartering and sailing, primarily in the Apostle Islands out of Bayfield, Wisconsin, as well as in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Door County, Wisconsin, and Puget Sound, near Victoria, Washington.

Their daughter, Karin Amelia Ennulat, was born in 1993. Karin married Jacob Bunker in 2021, and together they have two daughters, Sophia Dawn, age 2 ½, and Karina Jean, age 8 months. Harold was a proud “Opa”, and his family was a treasured part of his life. Karin and her family live in Princeton, MN.

Over 25 years ago, Harold and Kari chose Five Oaks Church of Woodbury to be their church home. It was through the Five Oaks Worship Team that Harold eventually returned to his music and began playing keyboards again. During his years of service to Five Oaks he immersed himself in virtually every aspect of the worship experience.

Harold enjoyed supporting worship technology and using his engineering skills in service to the church. He loved his time in the worship center, whether installing acoustical panels, hanging theater lights, running the sound board for a weekend service or special event or operating the lighting system, video system, or media system. He trained numerous volunteers; sharing his knowledge and helping others learn to serve. He also served on the church staff for about three years.

For Harold, worship was about far more than technology. It was a way to use the gifts God had given him to serve others. After many years away from music, he found his way back to the keyboard and discovered a place where his engineering abilities, love of music and faith could come together.

Harold and Kari led a small-group Bible Study at Five Oaks for many years. For Harold this was another meaningful chapter in his faith journey and an opportunity to grow alongside and encourage others.

In retirement, Harold enjoyed a variety of interests. He spent time playing the online game Forge of Empires, tending his container garden, buying and selling funds in the stock market and learning Tai Chi at the YMCA. True to his nature, he was always interested in learning, figuring things out, and finding something new to explore.

Tragically, on July 19, 2026, Harold died in a head-on automobile crash on I-94 as he and Kari were returning home from a weekend with family in North Dakota. Harold was a registered organ donor and his gifts, through this profound act of compassion, will give others a greater quality of life through transplantation. In life and in death, Harold believed he was “Blessed to be a Blessing”.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Otto Ennulat and Emilie Ennulat, and his sister, Jutta Ennulat.

Harold will be buried at St. John Cemetery, Hatton ND near his father-in-law on October 2, 2026. Following the graveside service, a Celebration of Life reception will be held at Hatton Prairie Village (950 Dakota Avenue) in the north parlor from 2 – 4 pm.

A memorial service for Harold will be held at Five Oaks Church in Woodbury, MN on November 20, 2026 at 2 pm. Five Oaks Church is located at 4416 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129.

A Note about Emergency Contacts

In the aftermath of the accident, Kari was grateful that her iPhone immediately notified their daughter, Karin. As a practical reminder to others, the family encourages everyone to take a few moments to review and update the emergency contact on their cell phone.