Perlita (Lita) Atienza Broadhurst, 83, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Ava's House in Sioux Falls. She was surrounded by her children.

Lita was born in Bagiou City, Philippines. She was the middle of nine (9) siblings and the eldest daughter. Lita excelled at academics, matriculating at age 16 to the Philippine Women's University. After graduation from college, she was accepted into the University of Iowa Master's in Clinical Nutrition program - here Lita first encountered snow and met her future husband.

Lita's #1 greatest love was her husband Kennon E. Broadhurst, MD (deceased 2014). Together, they shared a life built on love, friendship and mutual respect. Their love was unwavering and sustained them in both good and difficult times. Their earthly union lasted 49 years, but their bond was eternal.

Her adventures with Kennon took her from Iowa to California, to Minnesota and then finally South Dakota. Perlita resided in Aberdeen from 1971 to 2023. During her time there, she raised her family, supported her husband's medical practice, and developed friendships that withstood the test of time, generation and circumstance.

Lita moved to Sioux Falls in 2023 and joined the Touchmark at All Saints community. She embraced her new independence in a new city. She continued with her adventures (and misadventures) in and around the Sioux Falls area. Even when Lita was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive illness, she chose to embrace life and lived it her way until the very end.

Lita lived a life defined by beauty, generosity and subtle rebellion. To be around Lita is to experience her passion for beauty - not just possessions, but in nature and in the true connection with other human beings - especially her family and friends. The greatest joy of Lita's latter years was being a grandma to her precious grand daughters. She was never happier than when she was spending time with her grandkids - joking, gossiping, baking biscuits or rolling lumpia - every moment was sheer joy.

Lita was the loving and ever-present mother to her three children: son, Kennon F. Broadhurst (Vanessa) of Basking Ridge, New Jersey and two daughters, Kristina M. Broadhurst, MD (Dana) and Karyna A. Broadhurst, both of Long Beach, CA. She was also the doting grandmother to her twinkling star Sinclare and her sweet, sweet Rylan Broadhurst of Basking Ridge, NJ.

Lita was also blessed with the deep and lasting bonds of her chosen family who were a loving and unwavering source of joy and love: Patricia Arment; Rhea Ketterling; and Charlene deVillier (all of Aberdeen, SD); Eileen Alfaras (Toronto, Ontario, CA); Diga Diaz (New Jersey) and Betty Trankle (Sioux Falls, SD).

She was preceded in death by her husband (Kennon E. Broadhurst, MD), parents (Felipe and Monica Atienza) and four brothers. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, two sisters (Zenida Saison and Aurora Gutierrez), two brothers and many cousins, nieces and nephews

Lita did not want a funeral as they are "too sad". Instead, she wanted to have friends and family gather for a celebration of her life. The family is in the planning process.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Perlita to the Aberdeen Human Society, 2511 385th Ave S, Aberdeen, SD 57401.