CLARE — If someone is in need of something in small-town Clare, the first call is to your neighbor.

As of the last census, 150 people live in the rural town and neighbors are always ready and willing to lend a helping hand, whether it’s a simple water leak or someone needing something moved around their living room.

For Barb Passow, who has resided in Clare for over 40 years, she wouldn’t change a thing.

“I enjoy small-town living,” Passow said. “We like our little town.”

With her husband JR, they raised their three boys Donny, Danny and Doug.

“In a small town, you know your neighbors,” Passow said. “When you go on vacation, everyone watches everyone’s houses. You know your neighbor and you stay involved.

“There are a few women who are widowed, and you help when they need it. We’ll go over, or I’ll send the boys over to help with something.”

Passow, who has now been the mayor of the town for 24 years, has enjoyed the simple life and the friendships that go along within the community.

In her life, before and during being mayor, Passow worked at Becker Florist for over 27 years and started at Walgreens in 1994 and worked there for over 28 years as an assistant manager and certified pharmacy tech.

Before becoming the matriarch of the town, Passow was on the city council for six years, but when the mayor vacancy came up when her neighbor stepped down as mayor, she was on the ballot and assumed the seat.

Through her time as mayor, Passow has seen some changes in the town and has been a part of them.

“While I have been mayor, we built the community center, a new city shed and a new playground,” Passow said. “We’ve helped with almost anything. If someone has a water leak, or an alarm goes off at the electric plant, I’ll go take care of that.”

There have been times as well when neighbors have pitched in to help the whole town.

“Years ago when we had big rains and it flooded in Fort Dodge, we had a lot of rain in Clare,” Passow said. “We had a substantial amount of rain and the tiles didn’t hold; it was like we were living on an island. Washing machines were floating in basements.

“We grabbed a fire truck and went around town helping anyone that was having troubles.”

There haven’t been a lot of changes in town, but recently the town lost its only church. The St. Matthew church was demolished in a controlled burn.

“We miss it,” Passow said. “It has definitely been a change of scenery. We were used to seeing the cross and steeple. The landscape has really changed. Now you can look out about half a mile away.”

Clare also has a city library, EMS and fire department in town.

“Our council members and city clerk are the best,” Passow said. “They do things that most people don’t or won’t do. They are just on it.”

Passow wouldn’t change a lot of things, but she knows Clare is the spot for her.

“I love our little small town, family and neighbors,” she said.